Cysteine protease ATG4C (ATG4C)

Cysteine protease required for the cytoplasm to vacuole transport (Cvt) and autophagy. Is not vital for autophagy development under normal conditions but is required for a correct autophagic response under stressful conditions such as prolonged starvation (By similarity).

Cleaves the C-terminal amino acid of ATG8 family proteins MAP1LC3 and GABARAPL2, to show a C-terminal glycine. Exposure of the glycine at the C-terminus is vital for ATG8 proteins conjugation to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and insertion to membranes, which is essential for autophagy.