Recombinant Human LC3A Agarose Protein, CF Summary

Product Datasheets

Carrier Free

CF stands for Carrier Free (CF). We typically add Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a carrier protein to our recombinant proteins.Adding a carrier protein enhances protein stability, increases shelf-life, and allows the recombinant protein to be stored at a more dilute concentration.The carrier free version does not contain BSA.

In general, we advise purchasing the recombinant protein with BSA for use in cell or tissue culture, or as an ELISA standard.In contrast, the carrier free protein is recommended for applications, in which the presence of BSA could interfere.

Background: LC3A

Human Microtubule-associated Protein (MAP) Light Chain 3 (LC3) A is a121 amino acid (aa) protein with a predicted molecular weight of 14 kDa. It is a member of the LC3 subfamily of Autophagy-related 8 (Atg8) proteins (1). The LC3 subfamily also includes LC3B andLC3C. LC3 exhibits 100% aa sequence identity with its mouse and rat orthologs, and is orthologous to the yeast autophagy-related protein Atg8. Atg8 family members show structural similarity with Ubiquitin, but lack aa sequence similarity. LC3 was originally described as part is part of a complex that includes heavy and light chains comprising the MAP1 family of microtubule regulatory proteins (3). However, LC3 has gained attention for MAP1-independent functions in autophagy. LC3 utilizes a ubiquitin-like conjugation system that includes E1-, E2-, and E3-like enzymes to covalently attach phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to its C-terminus, incorporating it into the phagophore membrane during the early stages of autophagasome formation (4). Recruitment of LC3 to the phagophore may promote membrane elongation (4,5). It may also be involved in cargo recruitment to autophagosomes (1). LC3 is often used as a marker of autophagy.

LC3 covalently coupled to agarose beads via primary amines allowing for a fullyfunctional C-terminus. Useful for isolation and capture of LC3 interacting proteins and/or enzymes that have an affinity for this ubiquitin-like protein. These include the Apg8 E1activating enzyme Apg7, the Apg8 conjugating enzyme Apg3, Apg8 processing enzyme Apg4and other autophagy pathway proteins and enzymes.

Related Research Areas

• Autophagy
• Ubiquitin-like Modifiers (UBLs) and Regulators