Atg3, an autophagy-related gene, serves as an E2 ubiquitin-like conjugating enzyme in the ATG8 conjugation system, which is essential for autophagosome formation. Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process crucial for cellular, tissue, and organismal homeostasis [2]. Atg3 homologs are widespread in eukaryotes, and it contributes to phagophore elongation during autophagy. It is also involved in many physiological and pathological processes, either in an autophagy-dependent or-independent manner [2].

Genetic knockdown of Atg3 in mice and human hepatocytes has been shown to ameliorate p63-and diet-induced steatosis. Hepatic knockdown of Atg3 improves fatty acid metabolism by reducing c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1 (JNK1), increasing sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a), and mitochondrial function, suggesting its role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [1]. In colon cancer, knockdown of Atg3 significantly suppressed the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer cells, and autophagy block could antagonize the promotive functions of Atg3 on these processes, indicating its role in cancer progression [3].

In conclusion, Atg3 is a key gene in autophagy with diverse functions. Model-based research, especially gene knockdown in mice and cell lines, has revealed its importance in diseases like NAFLD and colon cancer. These findings contribute to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying these diseases and may provide potential therapeutic targets [1,3].