Tectonin beta-propeller repeat-containing protein 1 (TECPR1)

Tectonin beta-propeller repeat-containing protein 1 (TECPR1) is a **tethering factor** involved in autophagy, responsible for promoting autophagosome maturation and fusion with lysosomes[1][3][12]. This protein acts as a selective autophagy receptor that recognizes cytosolic sphingomyelin exposed on damaged endomembranes, such as those created during bacterial infection, and is required for LC3 conjugation onto these membranes[5]. TECPR1 accomplishes this by associating with ATG5-ATG12 and phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate, functioning independently of the canonical autophagy protein ATG16L1 in this context. Mutations in TECPR1 are linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including hereditary spastic paraplegia type 49 and frontotemporal dementia/ALS 7, underscoring its importance for neuronal health and cytoplasmic homeostasis[3]. No current therapeutic modulators are reported, but its unique autophagy roles suggest future interest as a disease or infection target.

Other names

TECPR1KIAA1358DKFZP434B0335FLJ23419FLJ90593

None reported for known therapeutics; however, TECPR1 acts by recruiting ATG5 into an E3 ligase complex for LC3 conjugation to damaged endomembranes upon sphingomyelin exposure, independent of ATG16L1[5].