Ubiquitin-like modifier that increases cell-surface expression of kappa-type opioid receptor through facilitating anterograde intracellular trafficking of the receptor . Involved in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles . While LC3s are involved in elongation of the phagophore membrane, the GABARAP/GATE-16 subfamily is essential for a later stage in autophagosome maturation . Through its interaction with the reticulophagy receptor TEX264, participates in the remodeling of subdomains of the endoplasmic reticulum into autophagosomes upon nutrient stress, which then fuse with lysosomes for endoplasmic reticulum turnover (, ).
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasmic vesicle, Autophagosome, Cytoplasmic vesicle membrane, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus
Ubiquitous. Expressed at very high levels in the brain, heart, peripheral blood leukocytes, liver, kidney, placenta and skeletal muscle. Expressed at very low levels in thymus and small intestine. In the brain, expression is particularly intense in motoneurons in the embryo and in neurons involved in somatomotor and neuroendocrine functions in the adult, particularly in the substantia nigra pars compacta.