BECN1, also as known as Beclin-1 and autophagy-related gene (Atg) 6, belongs to the beclin family. This protein plays a central role in autophagy. Beclin-1 and its binding partner class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), also named Vps34, are required for the initiation of the formation of the autophagasome in autophagy.