Required for selective macroautophagy (aggrephagy). Acts as an adapter protein by linking specific proteins destined for degradation to the core autophagic machinery members, such as the ATG5-ATG12-ATG16L E3-like ligase, SQSTM1 and LC3 . Along with p62/SQSTM1, involved in the formation and autophagic degradation of cytoplasmic ubiquitin-containing inclusions (p62 bodies, ALIS/aggresome-like induced structures). Along with SQSTM1, required to recruit ubiquitinated proteins to PML bodies in the nucleus . Important for normal brain development. Essential for the formation of axonal tracts throughout the brain and spinal cord, including the formation of the major forebrain commissures. Involved in the ability of neural cells to respond to guidance cues. Required for cortical neurons to respond to the trophic effects of netrin-1/NTN1 (By similarity). Regulates Wnt signaling through the removal of DVL3 aggregates, likely in an autophagy-dependent manner. This process may be important for the determination of brain size during embryonic development . May regulate osteoclastogenesis by acting on the TNFSF11/RANKL - TRAF6 pathway (By similarity). After cytokinetic abscission, involved in midbody remnant degradation . In vitro strongly binds to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) .
Subcellular locations: Nucleus membrane, Cytoplasm, Cytosol, Nucleus, PML body, Membrane, Perikaryon, Cell projection, Axon
Relocalization from the nucleus to the cytosol is stimulated by cellular stress, such as starvation or proteasomal inhibition. In the cytosol of starved cells, colocalizes with autophagic structures ( , ). This redistribution is dependent on p62/SQSTM1 . When nuclear export is blocked by treatment with leptomycin B, accumulates in nuclear bodies, that completely or partially colocalize with promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies . Localizes throughout neurons, including within axons. In neurons, enriched in the light membrane fraction along with the synaptosomal membrane protein synaptophysin and the membrane-bound form of LC3/MAP1LC3A/MAP1LC3B, called LC3-II, a classic marker for autophagic vesicles (By similarity).
Expressed in osteoclast and their mononuclear precursors (at protein level).