Background:
Beclin 1 also known as ATG6 or VPS30 interacts with various cofactors (e.g.Ambra1 Barkor (Atg14) Rubicon or UVRAG) to regulate the lipid kinase Vps34 and promote the formation of the BECLIN1-Vps34-Vps15 complex hence inducing autophagy.Its function (via the BH3 domain) is inhibited by Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL.Beclin 1 (BECN1) is a crucial molecule in the control of the autophagic activity and its activity is regulated by multiple mechanisms including the post-translational modification protein-protein interaction and subcellular localization.It plays a role in crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy.It has been reported that Beclin 1 can be cleaved into fragments of 50 37 and 35 kDa during apoptosis.It is involved in many disorders including neurodegeneration and cancer (tumorigenesis).Beclin 1 is a mammalian tumor suppressor and its gene is monoallelically deleted in 75% of ovarian 50% of breast and 40% of prostate cancers.Decreased expression of Beclin 1 has also been observed in human brain and lung tumors.The le