Autophagy related 4C cysteine peptidase (ATG4C)

Autophagy related 4C cysteine peptidase (ATG4C) is a cysteine protease of the autophagin family, involved in the regulation of autophagy—a cellular process for degrading cytoplasmic proteins and organelles to maintain homeostasis and support cell remodeling[1][2][3]. ATG4C mediates the proteolytic activation and delipidation of ATG8 family proteins, such as MAP1LC3 and GABARAPL2, critical steps in membrane expansion and autophagosome maturation[1][2]. Its activity exposes the C-terminal glycine of ATG8 proteins, essential for conjugation to phosphatidylethanolamine and proper membrane targeting[2]. While other family members (notably ATG4B) are more catalytically active, ATG4C displays relatively higher delipidation capacity[1][2]. Loss of ATG4C impairs immune cell function and is associated with increased tumor formation in animal models, highlighting possible roles in cancer and immune regulation[4]. ATG4C has no known direct pharmacological inhibitors or approved drugs, but is considered a candidate therapeutic target due to its key role in autophagy regulation and disease-relevant processes[2].

Other names

AUTL3APG4CAUTL1Autophagy-related cysteine endopeptidase 3Autophagy-related protein 4 homolog CAUT-like 3 cysteine endopeptidaseCysteine protease ATG4CAutophagin-3FLJ14867HsAPG4CAPG4-CATG4 autophagy related 4 homolog CATG4 autophagy 4 homolog CAUT-like 1, cysteine endopeptidaseEpididymis secretory sperm binding protein

Protease inhibition (theoretical, as no approved drugs specifically target ATG4C yet); Modulation of autophagy via proteolytic processing or delipidation of ATG8 family members