LC3C

By Christina Towers, PhD

The human form of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) is expressed as 3 splice variants LC3A, LC3B, and LC3C.¹ LC3B is a subunit of the MAP1A and MAP1B microtubule-binding proteins and plays a central role in autophagosome membrane structure.

Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) is considered one of the definitive markers of autophagy, and its use is widespread in labs throughout the world. Despite its popularity, there are several considerations when employing LC3 antibodies in immunoassays, Western blots in particular.

MAP1LC3 (shortened to LC3 in our antibody catalog) is one of four mammalian homologues of autophagy-related protein 8 (Atg8). It has been identified as a light chain subunit of the microtubule-associated proteins MAP1A/MAP1B. A modified form of LC3, LC3-II, has been identified as a marker for the autophagosomal membrane in mammals.