LC3A, also known as MAP1LC3A, is one of the light chain subunits that functions together with both MAP1A and/or MAP1B. MAP1A and MAP1B are microtubule-associated proteins which mediate the physical interactions between microtubules and components of the cytoskeleton. MAP1A and MAP1B each consist of a heavy chain subunit and multiple light chain subunits. As a light chain subunit, MAP1LC3A has an important part in neuronal development and in maintaining the balance between neuronal plasticity and rigidity. MAP1LC3A is expressed as two alternatively spliced isoforms that are expressed in testis, brain, heart, liver and skeletal muscle, but are absent in thymus and peripheral blood leukocytes.
