MAP1A and MAP1B are microtubule-associated proteins which mediate the physical interactions between microtubules and components of the cytoskeleton.

The protein encoded by this gene is one of the light chain subunits and can associate with either MAP1A or MAP1B.

[7] MAPLC3A is one of the mammalian homologues of yeast ATG8, an important marker and effector of autophagy.

These include covalent linkage of the C-terminus to phosphatidylethanolamine in autophagic membranes, and phosphorylation by protein kinase A,[9] which downregulates its autophagy functions.

Noncovalent interactions are important for its cargo targeting functions in selective autophagy.