GABA type A receptor-associated protein-like 1 (GABARAPL1)

GABA type A receptor-associated protein-like 1 (GABARAPL1) is a member of the Atg8 family of ubiquitin-like proteins, playing a critical role in the macroautophagy pathway, particularly in autophagosome maturation and cargo recruitment [1][3]. Originally identified as an early estrogen-regulated gene (GEC1), it is highly expressed in the central nervous system and interacts with the GABA(A) receptor to facilitate its trafficking to the cell surface [1][4]. GABARAPL1 functions by associating with autophagosomal membranes through a C-terminal lipidation process, where it facilitates the sequestration of damaged organelles and misfolded proteins for lysosomal degradation [3][5]. In oncology, GABARAPL1 often acts as a tumor suppressor, and its downregulation is frequently associated with poor prognosis and increased metastasis in breast and liver cancers [3]. Conversely, in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, its role in clearing toxic protein aggregates makes it a potential therapeutic target for enhancing cellular clearance mechanisms [5]. While direct pharmacological modulators specifically targeting GABARAPL1 are currently limited to research tools, the protein remains a significant focus for developing therapies that fine-tune autophagy in various pathological states [2][3]. Citations: [1] UniProt P60520; [2] NCBI Gene ID 23710; [3] Boyer-Guittaut et al., 2014, Autophagy; [4] Le Grand et al., 2011, Biology of the Cell; [5] Fragoso et al., 2017, Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.

Other names

GEC1GEC-1Early estrogen-regulated proteinATG8LAutophagy-related protein 8LGABA(A) receptor-associated protein-like 1

Modulation of autophagosome formation, cargo sequestration, and lysosomal fusion to regulate cellular degradation pathways.