Microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain 3 (LC3/LC3B) is a ubiquitin-like protein involved in the formation of the autophagosome. It is homologous to the yeast Atg8 protein. Autophagosomes are important for the degradation and recycling of intracellular cargo such as misfolded proteins or damaged organelles. Upon induction of autophagy, LC3 is conjugated to the lipid phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) by the Atg12-Atg5-Atg16 protein complex.
