id: Q22592 gene_symbol: bec-1 product_type: PROTEIN status: COMPLETE taxon: id: NCBITaxon:6239 label: Caenorhabditis elegans description: BEC-1 is the C. elegans ortholog of yeast Atg6/Vps30 and mammalian Beclin-1, functioning as an essential scaffold/adaptor subunit of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) complex. BEC-1 assembles with VPS-34 (the catalytic PI3K subunit) and VPS-15 to form complexes that generate phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) on membranes. In the PI3KC3-C1 complex (with EPG-8/ATG14), BEC-1 promotes autophagosome nucleation at ER-derived omegasomes. In the PI3KC3-C2 complex (with UVRAG/VPS-38), BEC-1 supports endocytic trafficking, endosome-to-Golgi retrograde transport, and phagosome maturation. BEC-1 also interacts with CED-9 (BCL-2 family) to negatively regulate apoptosis. The protein is essential for dauer morphogenesis, lifespan extension in insulin signaling mutants, survival during starvation, clearance of apoptotic corpses, germline stem cell proliferation, and protection against protein aggregation toxicity. existing_annotations: - term: id: GO:0000045 label: autophagosome assembly evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: BEC-1 is a core component of the PI3KC3-C1 complex that initiates autophagosome formation. Evidence from PMID:12958363 demonstrates that bec-1 is essential for autophagosome formation in seam cells during dauer development. BEC-1 functions with VPS-34 to generate PtdIns3P at phagophore assembly sites, which is required for recruitment of downstream autophagy machinery including LGG-1/LC3. action: ACCEPT reason: This is a core molecular function of BEC-1 as the Beclin ortholog. Multiple studies confirm BEC-1's essential role in autophagosome assembly as part of the PI3KC3 complex. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:12958363 supporting_text: bec-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy gene APG6/VPS30/beclin1, is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis and life-span extension - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: We demonstrate that BEC-1 is necessary for the function of the class III PI3 kinase LET-512/Vps34, an essential protein required for autophagy - term: id: GO:0000423 label: mitophagy evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: Mitophagy is a selective form of autophagy that degrades mitochondria. While BEC-1 is essential for general autophagy, there is limited direct experimental evidence specifically demonstrating BEC-1's role in mitophagy in C. elegans. The IBA annotation is based on phylogenetic inference from mammalian Beclin-1. action: ACCEPT reason: As a core component of the autophagy initiation complex, BEC-1 would be required for mitophagy, which is a selective form of macroautophagy. The phylogenetic inference is sound given the conserved role of Beclin/Atg6 proteins in all forms of autophagy. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-deep-research-falcon.md supporting_text: BEC-1 functions primarily as a scaffold/adaptor for class III PI3K complexes (VPS-34 with VPS-15) that assemble with complex-specific partners - term: id: GO:0030674 label: protein-macromolecule adaptor activity evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: BEC-1 functions as a scaffold/adaptor within the PI3KC3 complex, bridging VPS-34 (the catalytic kinase) with other complex components (EPG-8/ATG14, UVRAG) and regulatory proteins (CED-9, SORF-1, SORF-2). BEC-1 does not have enzymatic activity itself but positions VPS-34 to generate PtdIns3P at appropriate membrane sites. action: ACCEPT reason: This accurately describes BEC-1's primary molecular function. BEC-1 serves as an adaptor between the VPS-34 kinase and other complex components, consistent with the Beclin family's role across eukaryotes. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: Furthermore, BEC-1 forms a complex with the antiapoptotic protein CED-9/Bcl-2 - reference_id: PMID:21116129 supporting_text: EPG-8 directly interacts with the C. elegans Beclin 1 homolog, BEC-1 - term: id: GO:0043548 label: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase binding evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: BEC-1 directly binds VPS-34, the class III PI3K catalytic subunit, forming the core of the PI3KC3 complex. This interaction is essential for VPS-34 function in both autophagy and endocytic trafficking. action: ACCEPT reason: Direct experimental evidence from C. elegans confirms BEC-1 binds VPS-34. This is a fundamental aspect of BEC-1 molecular function. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: We demonstrate that BEC-1 is necessary for the function of the class III PI3 kinase LET-512/Vps34 - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: Interacts with vps-34 (PubMed:16111945, PubMed:26783301) - term: id: GO:0034271 label: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex, class III, type I evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: The class III PI3K complex type I (PI3KC3-C1) contains VPS-34, VPS-15, Beclin, and ATG14 and functions specifically in autophagy initiation. In C. elegans, BEC-1 interacts with EPG-8 (the ATG14 homolog) for autophagy-specific functions. action: ACCEPT reason: BEC-1 is confirmed to be part of the autophagy-specific PI3KC3 complex containing EPG-8/ATG14. The interaction between BEC-1 and EPG-8 has been experimentally demonstrated. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:21116129 supporting_text: EPG-8 directly interacts with the C. elegans Beclin 1 homolog, BEC-1. Our study demonstrates that epg-8 may function as a highly divergent homolog of the yeast autophagy gene Atg14 - term: id: GO:0034272 label: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex, class III, type II evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: The class III PI3K complex type II (PI3KC3-C2) contains VPS-34, VPS-15, Beclin, and UVRAG and functions in endocytic trafficking. BEC-1 has documented roles in endocytic retrograde transport and endosome maturation consistent with PI3KC3-C2 function. action: ACCEPT reason: BEC-1's role in endocytic trafficking is well documented. Evidence shows BEC-1 functions in the endosome-specific PI3KC3-C2 complex. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:21183797 supporting_text: BEC-1, the C. elegans ortholog of Atg6/Vps30/Beclin1, a key regulator of the autophagic machinery, also contributes to endosome function - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-deep-research-falcon.md supporting_text: In PI3KC3-C2 (VPS-34-VPS-15-VPS-38/UVRAG-BEC-1), it supports endocytic/phagosomal maturation and endolysosomal trafficking - term: id: GO:0000407 label: phagophore assembly site evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: BEC-1 localizes to sites of autophagosome initiation (phagophore assembly sites/PAS) where it functions with VPS-34 to generate PtdIns3P required for autophagy initiation. The deep research indicates BEC-1 is recruited to ER/omegasome-phagophore sites. action: ACCEPT reason: As an essential component of the autophagy initiation PI3KC3-C1 complex, BEC-1 must localize to phagophore assembly sites. This is consistent with its role in autophagosome nucleation. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-deep-research-falcon.md supporting_text: BEC-1 localizes to ER-associated omegasomes/phagophores during autophagy initiation, to autophagosomes, and to single-membrane phagosomes during LAP - term: id: GO:0006995 label: cellular response to nitrogen starvation evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: Autophagy is induced under nitrogen starvation conditions. While general starvation response has been documented for bec-1, specific nitrogen starvation response in C. elegans has not been directly demonstrated. The annotation is based on phylogenetic inference. action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE reason: While BEC-1 is clearly required for starvation survival (PMID:17785524), the specific nitrogen starvation response is inferred rather than directly demonstrated in C. elegans. Keep as non-core since the broader starvation response annotation is more directly supported. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:17785524 supporting_text: Here we show that physiological levels of autophagy act to promote survival in Caenorhabditis elegans during starvation - term: id: GO:0045324 label: late endosome to vacuole transport evidence_type: IBA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033 review: summary: BEC-1 functions in endosomal trafficking including the conversion of early to late endosomes and subsequent transport. The PI3KC3 complex generates PtdIns3P required for endosome maturation and transport. action: ACCEPT reason: BEC-1's role in endosomal transport is well documented. Evidence from PMID:26783301 shows BEC-1 is required for proper early-to-late endosome conversion and transport. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:21183797 supporting_text: we report that BEC-1, the C. elegans ortholog of Atg6/Vps30/Beclin1, a key regulator of the autophagic machinery, also contributes to endosome function - term: id: GO:0005737 label: cytoplasm evidence_type: IEA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044 review: summary: BEC-1 is localized to the cytoplasm. This is consistent with direct experimental evidence from PMID:16111945. action: ACCEPT reason: IDA evidence from PMID:16111945 confirms cytoplasmic localization. The IEA annotation is redundant but correct. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: 'SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Cytoplasm {ECO:0000269|PubMed:16111945}' - term: id: GO:0005768 label: endosome evidence_type: IEA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044 review: summary: BEC-1 localizes to endosomes where it functions as part of the PI3KC3-C2 complex in endocytic trafficking. Evidence from PMID:21183797 shows endosomal localization. action: ACCEPT reason: UniProt annotation based on experimental evidence from PMID:21183797 confirms endosomal localization. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: Endosome {ECO:0000269|PubMed:21183797}. Note=Co-localizes with rme-8, a component of the retromer complex, on endosomes - term: id: GO:0006897 label: endocytosis evidence_type: IEA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000043 review: summary: BEC-1 is required for proper endocytosis and endosome function. Loss of bec-1 impairs fluid phase endocytosis and endosome-to-Golgi retrograde transport. action: ACCEPT reason: Multiple studies confirm BEC-1's role in endocytosis. This is a well-established function of Beclin/Atg6 proteins. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: We demonstrate that BEC-1 is necessary for the function of the class III PI3 kinase LET-512/Vps34, an essential protein required for autophagy, membrane trafficking, and endocytosis - term: id: GO:0006914 label: autophagy evidence_type: IEA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000120 review: summary: BEC-1 is essential for autophagy. This is the core function of Beclin/Atg6 family proteins across eukaryotes. action: ACCEPT reason: Autophagy is the primary biological process for which BEC-1 is required. This is supported by extensive experimental evidence. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:12958363 supporting_text: bec-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy gene APG6/VPS30/beclin1, is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis and life-span extension - term: id: GO:0030424 label: axon evidence_type: IEA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044 review: summary: BEC-1 is expressed in neurons including axonal regions. Expression in ventral nerve cord and nerve ring has been documented. action: ACCEPT reason: UniProt subcellular location annotation based on experimental evidence showing BEC-1 expression in neurons. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: Cell projection, axon {ECO:0000269|PubMed:17327275} - term: id: GO:0030425 label: dendrite evidence_type: IEA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044 review: summary: BEC-1 is expressed in neuronal cells including dendrites based on UniProt subcellular location annotation. action: ACCEPT reason: UniProt annotation based on experimental evidence of neuronal expression. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: Cell projection, dendrite {ECO:0000269|PubMed:17327275} - term: id: GO:0043204 label: perikaryon evidence_type: IEA original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044 review: summary: BEC-1 is localized to neuronal cell bodies (perikarya) based on expression in neurons. action: ACCEPT reason: UniProt annotation supported by evidence of neuronal expression. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: Perikaryon {ECO:0000269|PubMed:17327275} - term: id: GO:0005515 label: protein binding evidence_type: IPI original_reference_id: PMID:26783301 review: summary: BEC-1 binds to SORF-1 and SORF-2, which regulate PI3KC3 complex activity. The interaction was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays. action: MODIFY reason: The term 'protein binding' is too vague. BEC-1 specifically functions as an adaptor within the PI3KC3 complex. The interaction with SORF-1/2 is regulatory and should be captured by the adaptor activity annotation. proposed_replacement_terms: - id: GO:0030674 label: protein-macromolecule adaptor activity supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:26783301 supporting_text: SORF-1 and SORF-2 act in a complex with BEC-1/Beclin1 - term: id: GO:0036093 label: germ cell proliferation evidence_type: IMP original_reference_id: PMID:28285998 review: summary: BEC-1 is required for germline stem cell proliferation during late larval and adult stages. RNAi knockdown of bec-1 reduces stem cell proliferation in the germline. action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE reason: This is a documented phenotype of bec-1 loss but represents a pleiotropic developmental role rather than the core molecular function. The study shows this is non-cell-autonomous. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:28285998 supporting_text: We found that autophagy genes such as bec-1/BECN1/Beclin1, atg-16.2/ATG16L, atg-18/WIPI1/2, and atg-7/ATG7 are required for the late larval expansion of germline stem cell progenitors - term: id: GO:0042078 label: germ-line stem cell division evidence_type: IMP original_reference_id: PMID:28285998 review: summary: BEC-1 promotes cell-cycle progression and stem cell division in the germline during development. action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE reason: This is a developmental phenotype reflecting BEC-1's role in cellular homeostasis rather than its core molecular function. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:28285998 supporting_text: we report that BEC-1/BECN1/Beclin1 functions non-cell-autonomously to facilitate cell-cycle progression and stem cell proliferation - term: id: GO:0048284 label: organelle fusion evidence_type: IMP original_reference_id: PMID:26783301 review: summary: BEC-1 is required for endosome fusion. Loss of bec-1 in combination with SORF genes affects early endosome fusion events. action: MODIFY reason: The term is too general. The evidence specifically supports a role in endosome fusion/maturation, not organelle fusion broadly. proposed_replacement_terms: - id: GO:0015075 label: early endosome to late endosome transport additional_reference_ids: - PMID:21183797 supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:26783301 supporting_text: Loss of sorf-1 or sorf-2 leads to greatly elevated endosomal PtdIns3P, which drives excessive fusion of early endosomes - reference_id: PMID:21183797 supporting_text: The Atg6/Vps30/Beclin 1 ortholog BEC-1 mediates endocytic retrograde transport in addition to autophagy in C. - term: id: GO:0048284 label: organelle fusion evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:26783301 review: summary: IGI evidence for organelle fusion based on genetic interactions with SORF-1, SORF-2, and VPS-34. action: MODIFY reason: Same as above - term is too general for the specific endosomal fusion role supported by the evidence. proposed_replacement_terms: - id: GO:0015075 label: early endosome to late endosome transport supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:26783301 supporting_text: sorf-1 and sorf-2 function coordinately with Rab switching genes to inhibit synthesis of PtdIns3P, allowing its turnover for endosome conversion - term: id: GO:0051036 label: regulation of endosome size evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:26783301 review: summary: BEC-1 affects endosome size through its role in generating PtdIns3P via the PI3KC3 complex. Genetic interactions with SORF-1/2 modulate endosome size. action: ACCEPT reason: This is well supported by evidence from PMID:26783301 showing that BEC-1 and SORF proteins regulate PtdIns3P levels which controls endosome size and fusion. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: Double knockout with either sorf-1 or sorf-2 results in smaller endosomes and an irregular distribution pattern of PtdIns3P in the cytoplasm (PubMed:26783301) - reference_id: PMID:26783301 supporting_text: Negative regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate levels in early-to-late endosome conversion. - term: id: GO:2000643 label: positive regulation of early endosome to late endosome transport evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:26783301 review: summary: BEC-1 positively regulates early-to-late endosome conversion through generating PtdIns3P required for endosome maturation. action: ACCEPT reason: Evidence clearly supports BEC-1's role in early-to-late endosome conversion through PtdIns3P generation. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:26783301 supporting_text: These findings reveal a conserved mechanism that controls appropriate PtdIns3P levels in early-to-late endosome conversion - term: id: GO:0045138 label: nematode male tail tip morphogenesis evidence_type: IMP original_reference_id: PMID:17890369 review: summary: bec-1 mutants show defects in male tail ray pattern formation, indicating a role in developmental morphogenesis. action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE reason: This is a developmental phenotype that likely reflects BEC-1's general role in autophagy/cellular homeostasis rather than a specific function in male tail morphogenesis. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:17890369 supporting_text: mutational inactivation of two autophagy genes unc-51/atg1 and bec-1/atg6/beclin1 results in small body size without affecting cell number - term: id: GO:0008340 label: determination of adult lifespan evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:21906946 review: summary: bec-1 is required for lifespan extension in germline-less animals. Autophagy and lipid metabolism coordinately modulate lifespan and both require bec-1. action: ACCEPT reason: BEC-1-dependent autophagy is required for multiple longevity pathways including insulin signaling mutants, dietary restriction, and germline-less animals. This is a well-documented phenotype. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:21906946 supporting_text: Germline removal extends life span in C. elegans via genes such as the lipase LIPL-4; however, less is known of the cellular basis for this life-span extension - term: id: GO:0043277 label: apoptotic cell clearance evidence_type: IMP original_reference_id: PMID:21183797 review: summary: BEC-1 is required for clearance of apoptotic cell corpses in the gonad, likely through its role in phagosome maturation. action: ACCEPT reason: The evidence directly supports BEC-1's role in apoptotic cell clearance through phagosome maturation. This represents a non-canonical function of BEC-1 in single-membrane processing. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:21183797 supporting_text: We further identify a requirement for BEC-1 in the clearance of apoptotic corpses in the hermaphrodite gonad, suggesting a role for BEC-1 in phagosome maturation - term: id: GO:0005515 label: protein binding evidence_type: IPI original_reference_id: PMID:21116129 review: summary: BEC-1 directly interacts with EPG-8 (ATG14 homolog), which is required for autophagy function. action: MODIFY reason: Protein binding is too vague. This interaction is part of BEC-1's adaptor function within the PI3KC3-C1 complex. proposed_replacement_terms: - id: GO:0030674 label: protein-macromolecule adaptor activity supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:21116129 supporting_text: EPG-8 directly interacts with the C. elegans Beclin 1 homolog, BEC-1 - term: id: GO:0008340 label: determination of adult lifespan evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:17912023 review: summary: bec-1 is required for dietary restriction-mediated lifespan extension in eat-2 mutants. action: ACCEPT reason: Well-documented role of bec-1 in autophagy-dependent lifespan extension. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:17912023 supporting_text: two essential autophagy genes (bec-1 and Ce-atg7) are required for the longevity phenotype of the C. elegans dietary restriction mutant - term: id: GO:0009267 label: cellular response to starvation evidence_type: IMP original_reference_id: PMID:17785524 review: summary: BEC-1-dependent autophagy is induced during starvation and promotes survival. Physiological levels of autophagy are required for starvation survival. action: ACCEPT reason: Clear experimental evidence that bec-1-dependent autophagy is required for starvation survival in C. elegans. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:17785524 supporting_text: we show that physiological levels of autophagy act to promote survival in Caenorhabditis elegans during starvation - term: id: GO:0040014 label: regulation of multicellular organism growth evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:17890369 review: summary: bec-1 mutants affect body size. Loss-of-function mutations in unc-51 and bec-1 suppress the giant phenotype of insulin/IGF-1 and TGF-beta signaling mutants. action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE reason: This reflects BEC-1's role in cellular homeostasis affecting organism growth, rather than a direct regulatory function. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:17890369 supporting_text: mutational inactivation of two autophagy genes unc-51/atg1 and bec-1/atg6/beclin1 results in small body size without affecting cell number - term: id: GO:0030163 label: protein catabolic process evidence_type: IMP original_reference_id: PMID:17172799 review: summary: BEC-1-dependent autophagy promotes clearance of polyglutamine protein aggregates. Inactivation of autophagy genes accelerates accumulation of polyQ aggregates. action: ACCEPT reason: Autophagy-dependent protein degradation is a core function of BEC-1. Clear evidence for role in polyQ aggregate clearance. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:17172799 supporting_text: genetic inactivation of autophagy genes accelerates the accumulation of polyQ40 aggregates in C. elegans muscle cells - term: id: GO:0012501 label: programmed cell death evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:17327275 review: summary: bec-1 modulates necrotic cell death in neurons with hyperactive ion channels. Inactivation of bec-1 partially suppresses degeneration of neurons with toxic ion channel variants. action: ACCEPT reason: Evidence shows bec-1 contributes to necrotic cell death in specific contexts. Also, BEC-1 interacts with CED-9 to regulate apoptosis. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:17327275 supporting_text: Inactivation of unc-51, bec-1 and lgg-1, the worm counterparts of the yeast autophagy genes Atg1, Atg6 and Atg8 respectively, partially suppresses degeneration of neurons with toxic ion channel variants - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: BEC-1 forms a complex with the antiapoptotic protein CED-9/Bcl-2, and its depletion triggers CED-3/Caspase-dependent PCD - term: id: GO:0005634 label: nucleus evidence_type: IDA original_reference_id: PMID:16111945 review: summary: BEC-1 was detected in the nucleus by direct experimental observation. This may represent a regulatory or signaling role. action: ACCEPT reason: Direct experimental evidence (IDA) from PMID:16111945. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: IDA:WormBase. Cytoplasm. Nucleus. Cytoplasmic vesicle - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: Inactivation of the autophagy gene bec-1 triggers apoptotic cell death in C. - term: id: GO:0005737 label: cytoplasm evidence_type: IDA original_reference_id: PMID:16111945 review: summary: BEC-1 is localized to the cytoplasm where it functions in autophagy and endosomal trafficking. action: ACCEPT reason: Direct experimental evidence (IDA) from PMID:16111945. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: 'SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Cytoplasm {ECO:0000269|PubMed:16111945}' - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: Inactivation of the autophagy gene bec-1 triggers apoptotic cell death in C. - term: id: GO:0031410 label: cytoplasmic vesicle evidence_type: IDA original_reference_id: PMID:16111945 review: summary: BEC-1 localizes to cytoplasmic vesicles including autophagosomes and endosomes. action: ACCEPT reason: Direct experimental evidence (IDA) consistent with BEC-1's function at autophagosomal and endosomal membranes. supported_by: - reference_id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-uniprot.txt supporting_text: GO:0031410; C:cytoplasmic vesicle; IDA:WormBase - reference_id: PMID:16111945 supporting_text: Inactivation of the autophagy gene bec-1 triggers apoptotic cell death in C. - term: id: GO:0006914 label: autophagy evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:12958363 review: summary: bec-1 is required for autophagy, as demonstrated by genetic interactions with other autophagy genes (unc-51/ATG1, etc.) and the daf-2 insulin signaling pathway. action: ACCEPT reason: This is the core biological process for BEC-1. Strong genetic evidence from the foundational autophagy study in C. elegans. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:12958363 supporting_text: bec-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy gene APG6/VPS30/beclin1, is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis and life-span extension - term: id: GO:0008340 label: determination of adult lifespan evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:12958363 review: summary: bec-1 is required for lifespan extension in daf-2/insulin signaling mutants. action: ACCEPT reason: Foundational study demonstrating autophagy requirement for insulin signaling-mediated longevity. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:12958363 supporting_text: bec-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy gene APG6/VPS30/beclin1, is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis and life-span extension - term: id: GO:0040024 label: dauer larval development evidence_type: IGI original_reference_id: PMID:12958363 review: summary: bec-1 is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis. RNAi knockdown causes abnormalities in constitutive dauer formation in daf-2 mutants. action: ACCEPT reason: Well-documented role of bec-1 in dauer development, which requires autophagy for proper morphogenesis and survival. supported_by: - reference_id: PMID:12958363 supporting_text: bec-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy gene APG6/VPS30/beclin1, is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis references: - id: GO_REF:0000033 title: Annotation inferences using phylogenetic trees findings: - statement: IBA annotations based on PANTHER phylogenetic trees inferring function from characterized orthologs - id: GO_REF:0000043 title: Gene Ontology annotation based on UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot keyword mapping findings: [] - id: GO_REF:0000044 title: Gene Ontology annotation based on UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Subcellular Location vocabulary mapping findings: [] - id: GO_REF:0000120 title: Combined Automated Annotation using Multiple IEA Methods findings: [] - id: PMID:12958363 title: Autophagy genes are essential for dauer development and life-span extension in C. elegans. findings: - statement: BEC-1 is required for autophagy, dauer morphogenesis, and lifespan extension supporting_text: bec-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy gene APG6/VPS30/beclin1, is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis and life-span extension - statement: Foundational paper establishing autophagy requirement in C. elegans longevity supporting_text: Dauer formation is associated with increased autophagy and also requires C. elegans orthologs of the yeast autophagy genes APG1, APG7, APG8, and AUT10 - id: PMID:16111945 title: Inactivation of the autophagy gene bec-1 triggers apoptotic cell death in C. elegans. findings: - statement: BEC-1 is essential for development and necessary for VPS-34/LET-512 function supporting_text: BEC-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy proteins Atg6/Vps30 and Beclin 1, is essential for development - statement: BEC-1 forms a complex with CED-9/BCL-2 and regulates apoptosis supporting_text: BEC-1 forms a complex with the antiapoptotic protein CED-9/Bcl-2, and its depletion triggers CED-3/Caspase-dependent PCD - id: PMID:17172799 title: Autophagy genes protect against disease caused by polyglutamine expansion proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. findings: - statement: Autophagy genes including bec-1 protect against polyQ toxicity supporting_text: genetic inactivation of autophagy genes accelerates the accumulation of polyQ40 aggregates in C. elegans muscle cells - id: PMID:17327275 title: Influence of autophagy genes on ion-channel-dependent neuronal degeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. findings: - statement: bec-1 contributes to ion-channel-dependent neurotoxicity supporting_text: Inactivation of unc-51, bec-1 and lgg-1, the worm counterparts of the yeast autophagy genes Atg1, Atg6 and Atg8 respectively, partially suppresses degeneration of neurons with toxic ion channel variants - id: PMID:17785524 title: Dual roles of autophagy in the survival of Caenorhabditis elegans during starvation. findings: - statement: Physiological autophagy promotes starvation survival supporting_text: we show that physiological levels of autophagy act to promote survival in Caenorhabditis elegans during starvation - id: PMID:17890369 title: Autophagy genes unc-51 and bec-1 are required for normal cell size in Caenorhabditis elegans. findings: - statement: bec-1 mutants have small body size supporting_text: mutational inactivation of two autophagy genes unc-51/atg1 and bec-1/atg6/beclin1 results in small body size without affecting cell number - id: PMID:17912023 title: Autophagy is required for dietary restriction-mediated life span extension in C. elegans. findings: - statement: bec-1 is required for dietary restriction longevity in eat-2 mutants supporting_text: two essential autophagy genes (bec-1 and Ce-atg7) are required for the longevity phenotype of the C. elegans dietary restriction mutant - id: PMID:21116129 title: The coiled-coil domain protein EPG-8 plays an essential role in the autophagy pathway in C. elegans. findings: - statement: EPG-8 directly interacts with BEC-1 supporting_text: EPG-8 directly interacts with the C. elegans Beclin 1 homolog, BEC-1 - statement: EPG-8 functions as C. elegans ATG14 homolog supporting_text: Our study demonstrates that epg-8 may function as a highly divergent homolog of the yeast autophagy gene Atg14 - id: PMID:21183797 title: The Atg6/Vps30/Beclin 1 ortholog BEC-1 mediates endocytic retrograde transport in addition to autophagy in C. elegans. findings: - statement: BEC-1 functions in endosome-to-Golgi retrograde transport supporting_text: we report that BEC-1, the C. elegans ortholog of Atg6/Vps30/Beclin1, a key regulator of the autophagic machinery, also contributes to endosome function - statement: BEC-1 is required for apoptotic corpse clearance supporting_text: We further identify a requirement for BEC-1 in the clearance of apoptotic corpses in the hermaphrodite gonad, suggesting a role for BEC-1 in phagosome maturation - id: PMID:21906946 title: Autophagy and lipid metabolism coordinately modulate life span in germline-less C. elegans. findings: - statement: Autophagy required for germline-less longevity supporting_text: Germline removal extends life span in C. elegans via genes such as the lipase LIPL-4 - id: PMID:26783301 title: Negative regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate levels in early-to-late endosome conversion. findings: - statement: BEC-1 is part of the PI3K complex that generates PtdIns3P supporting_text: SORF-1 and SORF-2 act in a complex with BEC-1/Beclin1 - statement: SORF-1 and SORF-2 interact with BEC-1 to regulate PI3K activity supporting_text: Loss of sorf-1 or sorf-2 leads to greatly elevated endosomal PtdIns3P, which drives excessive fusion of early endosomes - id: PMID:28285998 title: A Non-Cell-Autonomous Role of BEC-1/BECN1/Beclin1 in Coordinating Cell-Cycle Progression and Stem Cell Proliferation during Germline Development. findings: - statement: BEC-1 required for germline stem cell proliferation supporting_text: We found that autophagy genes such as bec-1/BECN1/Beclin1, atg-16.2/ATG16L, atg-18/WIPI1/2, and atg-7/ATG7 are required for the late larval expansion of germline stem cell progenitors - statement: Acts non-cell-autonomously supporting_text: we report that BEC-1/BECN1/Beclin1 functions non-cell-autonomously to facilitate cell-cycle progression and stem cell proliferation - id: file:worm/bec-1/bec-1-deep-research-falcon.md title: Deep research on bec-1 gene function findings: - statement: BEC-1 functions as scaffold/adaptor for PI3KC3 complexes supporting_text: BEC-1 functions primarily as a scaffold/adaptor for class III PI3K complexes (VPS-34 with VPS-15) core_functions: - molecular_function: id: GO:0030674 label: protein-macromolecule adaptor activity description: BEC-1 functions as a scaffold/adaptor within class III PI3K complexes, bridging the VPS-34 catalytic kinase with complex-specific subunits (EPG-8/ATG14 for autophagy, UVRAG for endocytosis) and regulatory proteins (SORF-1/2, CED-9). - molecular_function: id: GO:0043548 label: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase binding description: BEC-1 directly binds VPS-34, the class III PI3K catalytic subunit, enabling PtdIns3P production required for autophagy initiation and endosomal trafficking. - molecular_function: id: GO:0030674 label: protein-macromolecule adaptor activity description: BEC-1 is essential for autophagosome nucleation as part of the PI3KC3-C1 complex, generating PtdIns3P at phagophore assembly sites. directly_involved_in: - id: GO:0000045 label: autophagosome assembly in_complex: id: GO:0034271 label: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex, class III, type I - molecular_function: id: GO:0030674 label: protein-macromolecule adaptor activity description: BEC-1 functions in endocytic trafficking through the PI3KC3-C2 complex, regulating endosome maturation and retrograde transport. directly_involved_in: - id: GO:0006897 label: endocytosis in_complex: id: GO:0034272 label: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex, class III, type II proposed_new_terms: [] suggested_questions: - question: Does BEC-1 have distinct pools for autophagy versus endocytosis functions? - question: What regulates the balance between PI3KC3-C1 and PI3KC3-C2 complex formation? - question: Is the nuclear localization of BEC-1 functionally significant? suggested_experiments: - description: Tissue-specific rescue experiments to determine which tissues require BEC-1 for different phenotypes - description: Structure-function analysis to identify domains required for different protein interactions - description: Live imaging of BEC-1 dynamics during autophagy induction versus endosome maturation tags: - caeel-proteostasis - caeel-mitophagy