[5][6] Beclin-1 is a mammalian ortholog of the yeast autophagy-related gene 6 (Atg6)  and BEC-1 in the C. elegans nematode.

[7] This protein interacts with either BCL-2 or PI3k class III, playing a critical role in the regulation of both autophagy and cell death.

Beclin-1 plays an important role in tumorigenesis, and neurodegeneration, being implicated in the autophagic programmed cell death.

[8] Ovarian cancer with upregulated autophagy has a less aggressive behavior and is more responsive to chemotherapy.

[9] Schizophrenia is associated with low levels of Beclin-1 in the hippocampus of those affected, which causes diminished autophagy which in turn results in increased neuronal cell death.