Beclin-1 (BECN1) coordinates the assembly of multiple VPS34 complexes whose distinct phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase III (PI3K-III) lipid kinase activities regulate autophagy at different steps [, ]. It regulates degradative endocytic trafficking and is required for the abcission step in cytokinesis, probably in the context of PI3KC3-C2 [, ]. It is also involved in endocytosis and is required for neuron viability in vivo []. It is implicated in many disorders, including cancer and neurodegeneration [, ].
