atg-5
C. elegans
Autophagy-related protein 5
What the model saw
Gene: atg-5 Organism: Caenorhabditis elegans Known functions: Autophagy-related protein 5. Atg8-family ligase activity. protein binding.
View unredacted entry
Autophagy-related protein 5. Atg8-family ligase activity. protein binding.
Solver output
ATG-5 is a core autophagy protein that functions as part of the ATG12–ATG5–ATG16 E3-like ligase complex, which catalyzes the conjugation of ATG8/LC3 family proteins to phosphatidylethanolamine on the phagophore membrane — a critical step in autophagosome elongation and closure. This Atg8-family ligase activity is essential for productive macroautophagy flux. In C. elegans, autophagy is required for lifespan extension downstream of multiple longevity pathways, including DAF-2/insulin signaling, dietary restriction, and mitochondrial stress; loss of atg-5 suppresses these longevity phenotypes. By enabling efficient clearance of damaged proteins and organelles, ATG-5 directly supports proteostasis and opposes the accumulation of cellular damage associated with aging.
GenAge curators classify each gene's normal function as promoting (Pro-Longevity) or opposing (Anti-Longevity) longevity, based on synthesis across studies. Loss-of-function effects can vary from this depending on the manipulation.
Advisor judgment
The model correctly predicted pro_longevity for atg-5 in C. elegans with high confidence (0.92). The mechanistic reasoning is excellent and accurate: ATG-5 functions as part of the ATG12-ATG5-ATG16 E3-like ligase complex, catalyzes ATG8 lipidation, is essential for autophagosome formation, and loss of atg-5 suppresses lifespan extension in multiple longevity pathways. The model correctly identifies that autophagy is required downstream of DAF-2/insulin signaling, dietary restriction, and mitochondrial stress pathways. All key pathways identified are relevant and accurate.
Raw API responses
solver
{
"reasoning": "ATG-5 is a core autophagy protein that functions as part of the ATG12–ATG5–ATG16 E3-like ligase complex, which catalyzes the conjugation of ATG8/LC3 family proteins to phosphatidylethanolamine on the phagophore membrane — a critical step in autophagosome elongation and closure. This Atg8-family ligase activity is essential for productive macroautophagy flux. In C. elegans, autophagy is required for lifespan extension downstream of multiple longevity pathways, including DAF-2/insulin signaling, dietary restriction, and mitochondrial stress; loss of atg-5 suppresses these longevity phenotypes. By enabling efficient clearance of damaged proteins and organelles, ATG-5 directly supports proteostasis and opposes the accumulation of cellular damage associated with aging.",
"confidence": 0.92,
"key_pathways": [
"macroautophagy / autophagosome biogenesis",
"ATG12-ATG5-ATG16 conjugation complex",
"DAF-2/IIS longevity pathway (autophagy branch)"
],
"mechanism_class": "disabled_macroautophagy",
"longevity_influence": "pro_longevity"
}advisor
{
"notes": "The model correctly predicted pro_longevity for atg-5 in C. elegans with high confidence (0.92). The mechanistic reasoning is excellent and accurate: ATG-5 functions as part of the ATG12-ATG5-ATG16 E3-like ligase complex, catalyzes ATG8 lipidation, is essential for autophagosome formation, and loss of atg-5 suppresses lifespan extension in multiple longevity pathways. The model correctly identifies that autophagy is required downstream of DAF-2/insulin signaling, dietary restriction, and mitochondrial stress pathways. All key pathways identified are relevant and accurate.",
"failure_mode": "correct",
"answer_correct": true,
"mechanism_correct": true,
"reasoning_quality": 5,
"ground_truth_questionable": false
}