WDFY3

This gene encodes a protein which contains WD repeats and an FYVE domain. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene, but the full-length nature of some variants has not been defined. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

WD repeat and FYVE domain containing 3

Function

Required for selective macroautophagy (aggrephagy). Acts as an adapter protein by linking specific proteins destined for degradation to the core autophagic machinery members, such as the ATG5-ATG12-ATG16L E3-like ligase, SQSTM1 and LC3 (PubMed:20417604).
Along with p62/SQSTM1, involved in the formation and autophagic degradation of cytoplasmic ubiquitin-containing inclusions (p62 bodies, ALIS/aggresome-like induced structures). Along with SQSTM1, required to recruit ubiquitinated proteins to PML bodies in the nucleus (PubMed:20168092).
Important for normal brain development. Essential for the formation of axonal tracts throughout the brain and spinal cord, including the formation of the major forebrain commissures. Involved in the ability of neural cells to respond to guidance cues. Required for cortical neurons to respond to the trophic effects of netrin-1/NTN1 (By similarity).
Regulates Wnt signaling through the removal of DVL3 aggregates, likely in an autophagy-dependent manner. This process may be important for the determination of brain size during embryonic development (PubMed:27008544).
May regulate osteoclastogenesis by acting on the TNFSF11/RANKL - TRAF6 pathway (By similarity).
After cytokinetic abscission, involved in midbody remnant degradation (PubMed:24128730).
In vitro strongly binds to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) (PubMed:15292400).

Biological Process

Biological Process aggrephagy Source:UniProtKB1 Publication

Cellular Location

Nucleus membrane
Cytoplasm, cytosol
Nucleus, PML body
Membrane
Perikaryon
Cell projection, axon
Relocalization from the nucleus to the cytosol is stimulated by cellular stress, such as starvation or proteasomal inhibition. In the cytosol of starved cells, colocalizes with autophagic structures (PubMed:15292400, PubMed:20168092, PubMed:20971078, PubMed:20417604).
This redistribution is dependent on p62/SQSTM1 (PubMed:20168092).
When nuclear export is blocked by treatment with leptomycin B, accumulates in nuclear bodies, that completely or partially colocalize with promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies (PubMed:20168092).
Localizes throughout neurons, including within axons. In neurons, enriched in the light membrane fraction along with the synaptosomal membrane protein synaptophysin and the membrane-bound form of LC3/MAP1LC3A/MAP1LC3B, called LC3-II, a classic marker for autophagic vesicles (By similarity).

Involvement in disease

Microcephaly 18, primary, autosomal dominant (MCPH18):
A form of microcephaly, a disease defined as a head circumference more than 3 standard deviations below the age, sex and ethnically matched mean. Brain weight is markedly reduced and the cerebral cortex is disproportionately small. MCPH18 affected individuals manifest microcephaly with mild to moderate intellectual disability.