Other · Cell-penetrating, Beclin 1-derived autophagy research peptide
Tat-Beclin 1
Also known as Tat–BECN1; TAT-Beclin 1
A cell-penetrating Beclin 1-derived peptide used to investigate autophagy and its regulation in experimental models.
- Length
- 28 amino acids in the commonly cited construct
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- The Tat segment supports cellular uptake, while the modified Beclin 1-derived segment promotes autophagy-associated activity. Interaction with GAPR-1/GLIPR2, a Beclin 1-binding protein, has been implicated, but the peptide is not a conventional receptor-selective agonist.
- Studied in
- Cultured-cell and animal studies use Tat-Beclin 1 to examine autophagic flux, intracellular cargo clearance and responses to experimental cellular stress.
About Tat-Beclin 1
First described in 2013, Tat-Beclin 1 combines an HIV-1 Tat-derived cell-penetrating sequence with a modified segment of the autophagy protein Beclin 1. The commonly cited 28-residue construct is YGRKKRRQRRRGGTNVFNATFEIWHDGE, comprising the Tat domain, a diglycine linker and the Beclin 1-derived segment. Its design arose from studies of Beclin 1 interactions with viral and cellular proteins. Sequence identity matters because related constructs can differ in stereochemistry, terminal chemistry or control-sequence design.
Experiments commonly assess LC3 lipidation, SQSTM1/p62 turnover and fluorescence-based autophagy reporters after exposure to this peptide. GAPR-1, also called GLIPR2, is a proposed interaction partner involved in the original mechanistic framework; it should not be described as a cell-surface receptor. Importantly, increased autophagosome abundance alone does not establish increased autophagic flux. Interpretation requires complementary measurements that distinguish enhanced autophagosome formation from impaired lysosomal clearance, alongside checks for cytotoxicity and membrane perturbation.
Laboratory notes
- Verify sequence, stereochemistry and terminal modifications; all-L and D-amino-acid-containing constructs are not analytically interchangeable.
- Pair LC3 or puncta measurements with lysosomal-blockade controls and an independent flux readout.
- Include a matched inactive or scrambled control and monitor viability, since cell penetration and membrane effects can confound interpretation.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about Tat-Beclin 1
Is Tat-Beclin 1 identical to native Beclin 1?
No. It is a synthetic fusion peptide containing a Tat-derived uptake domain and a modified Beclin 1 fragment, rather than the full-length protein.
What is the distinction between GAPR-1 and GLIPR2?
GAPR-1 is a commonly used protein name for GLIPR2. It is a Beclin 1-associated protein implicated in the peptide's mechanism, not a conventional surface receptor.
Why is an LC3-II increase insufficient on its own?
LC3-II can accumulate through either increased autophagosome formation or reduced degradation. Flux controls are needed to distinguish these possibilities.
Is Tat-Beclin 1 for human use?
No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.
Related research peptides
All products are sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, not a medicine, not for diagnosing, treating or preventing any condition.