Beclin 1, a human ortholog of yeast Atg6/Vps30, is the first mammalian autophagy gene discovered by Beth Levine in 1999. Autophagy is an ancient pathway by which parts of cytoplasmic materials are delivered to the lysosome for degradation. This process involves membrane remodeling to sequester materials into autophagosomes and their subsequent fusion with lysosomes. Beclin 1 regulates autophagosome formation and maturation through interacting with other proteins within the class III PI3K complex. Extensive studies of Beclin 1 uncovered the mechanisms of mammalian autophagy regulation and multiple roles of autophagy in maintaining many essential cellular processes. Indeed, Beclin 1 is a central player in autophagy to respond to various stress signals by regulating intracellular membrane trafficking processes. We now know that Beclin 1 has a broad physiological and pathological functions, ranging from tumour suppression, cell survival, pathogen invasion, metabolism to embryonic development and lifespan extension. It is not surprising that Beclin 1 dysfunction is also associated with many human diseases including cancer, infection, neurodegenerative disease, heart disease, and aging. Tat-Beclin 1, a small peptide activating Beclin 1 and inducing autophagy, has been used as a potential candidate for treating a variety of clinical diseases. More than two decades have passed since the discovery of Beclin 1. Beth Levine, an admirable pioneer in the field of autophagy, passed away on June 15, 2020, after a long-fought with breast cancer. The entire field established by Beth Levine is growing since her discovery of the first mammalian autophagy gene Beclin 1. Here, we commemorate Beth Levine with this Research Topic for her tremendous contribution and indelible impact on the autophagy field.
The goal of this Research topic is to commemorate Beth Levine for her discovery of the first mammalian autophagy gene Beclin 1 and her contribution to the autophagy field. A wide range of articles are accepted including memoriam of Dr. Beth Levine, review or original research article of Beclin 1 or autophagy. Areas covered in this Research Topic may include, but not limited to:
- Novel membrane trafficking events regulated by Beclin 1 or autophagy
- Signaling pathways targeting or regulating by Beclin 1
- Post-translational modifications of Beclin 1 and their functions
- Role of Beclin 1-interacting proteins in autophagy
- Role of Beclin 1 or other autophagy proteins in human disease
- Chaperone-mediated autophagy; Microautophagy
Beclin 1, a human ortholog of yeast Atg6/Vps30, is the first mammalian autophagy gene discovered by Beth Levine in 1999. Autophagy is an ancient pathway by which parts of cytoplasmic materials are delivered to the lysosome for degradation. This process involves membrane remodeling to sequester materials into autophagosomes and their subsequent fusion with lysosomes. Beclin 1 regulates autophagosome formation and maturation through interacting with other proteins within the class III PI3K complex. Extensive studies of Beclin 1 uncovered the mechanisms of mammalian autophagy regulation and multiple roles of autophagy in maintaining many essential cellular processes. Indeed, Beclin 1 is a central player in autophagy to respond to various stress signals by regulating intracellular membrane trafficking processes. We now know that Beclin 1 has a broad physiological and pathological functions, ranging from tumour suppression, cell survival, pathogen invasion, metabolism to embryonic development and lifespan extension. It is not surprising that Beclin 1 dysfunction is also associated with many human diseases including cancer, infection, neurodegenerative disease, heart disease, and aging. Tat-Beclin 1, a small peptide activating Beclin 1 and inducing autophagy, has been used as a potential candidate for treating a variety of clinical diseases. More than two decades have passed since the discovery of Beclin 1. Beth Levine, an admirable pioneer in the field of autophagy, passed away on June 15, 2020, after a long-fought with breast cancer. The entire field established by Beth Levine is growing since her discovery of the first mammalian autophagy gene Beclin 1. Here, we commemorate Beth Levine with this Research Topic for her tremendous contribution and indelible impact on the autophagy field.
The goal of this Research topic is to commemorate Beth Levine for her discovery of the first mammalian autophagy gene Beclin 1 and her contribution to the autophagy field. A wide range of articles are accepted including memoriam of Dr. Beth Levine, review or original research article of Beclin 1 or autophagy. Areas covered in this Research Topic may include, but not limited to:
- Novel membrane trafficking events regulated by Beclin 1 or autophagy
- Signaling pathways targeting or regulating by Beclin 1
- Post-translational modifications of Beclin 1 and their functions
- Role of Beclin 1-interacting proteins in autophagy
- Role of Beclin 1 or other autophagy proteins in human disease
- Chaperone-mediated autophagy; Microautophagy