Function
Ubiquitin-like modifier involved in the formation of autophagosomal vacuoles (autophagosomes) (PubMed:26687600). When lipidated mediates tethering between adjacent membranes and stimulates membrane fusion (PubMed:26687600). Less effective at promoting membrane fusion than lgg-1 (PubMed:26687600). Acts upstream of the autophagy protein epg-5 in the aggrephagy pathway, which is the macroautophagic degradation of ubiquitinated protein aggregates, and preferentially interacts with autophagy proteins and substrates containing LIR motifs to mediate autophagosome formation and protein aggregate degradation (PubMed:26687600). In particular binds to components of an atg-5-lgg-3-atg-16 complex to regulate autophagosome formation and cargo sequestration (PubMed:26687600). Required for the degradation of specific sqst-1-containing aggregates during embryogenesis and the early stages of larval development (PubMed:26687600). Involved in allophagy, which is an autophagic process in which paternal mitochondria and organelles are degraded during fertilization, and moreover is required for the degradation of lgg-1-positive allophagic autophagosomes in embryos (PubMed:25126728, PubMed:24374177). Through HOPS complex subunit vps-39, tethers lysosomes with autophagosomes to form autolysosomes (PubMed:24374177). Plays a role in the distribution and clearance of germ cell specific P-granules from somatic cells to ensure exclusive localization of the P-granules in germ cells (PubMed:19167332). Essential for dauer development and life-span extension (PubMed:20523114).