Atg4a

Cysteine protease ATG4A is a protein in humans that is encoded by ATG4A gene. Cysteine protease required for the cytoplasm to vacuole transport (Cvt) and autophagy. Cleaves the C-terminal amino acid of ATG8 family proteins to reveal a C-terminal glycine. Exposure of the glycine at the C-terminus is essential for ATG8 proteins conjugation to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and insertion to membranes, which is necessary for autophagy. Preferred substrate is GABARAPL2 followed by MAP1LC3A and GABARAP. Has also an activity of delipidating enzyme for the PE-conjugated forms.