This gene encodes GABA(A) receptor-associated protein, which is highly positively charged in its N-terminus and shares sequence similarity with light chain-3 of microtubule-associated proteins 1A and 1B.

This protein clusters neurotransmitter receptors by mediating interaction with the cytoskeleton.

[6] Moreover, GABARAP has an important function in autophagosome mediated autophagy, since it is crucial for autophagosome formation and sequestration of cytosolic cargo into double-membrane vesicles, leading to subsequent degradation after fusion with lysosomes.

[7] In addition, GABARAP can mediate selective autophagy because it binds to so-called autophagic receptors (e.g. p62, NBr1), which bind and recruit specific cargo.

[5][11][12] A bound structure for GABARAP to GABRG2 consistent with experimental observations has been computationally derived.