Autophagy Related Protein 4A (ATG4A)

ATG4A encodes a member of the autophagin protein family. The encoded protein is also designated as a member of the C-54 family of cysteine proteases. Transcript variants that encode distinct isoforms have been identified.Widely expressed, at a low level, and the highest expression is observed in skeletal muscle and brain. Also detected in fetal liver.

The deduced 398-amino acid protein contains a putative active-site cysteine at position 77. ATG4A shares significant similarity with yeast Apg4, except for divergence at its N- and C-terminal ends. The absence of an N-terminal signal sequence suggests that ATG4A is a cytoplasmic enzyme. Northern blot analysis detected a 3.2-kb transcript that was highly expressed in skeletal muscle, with lower expression in fetal liver and other adult tissues.