Substrate-recognition component of a DCX (DDB1-CUL4-X-box) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex involved in cell cycle control and autophagy (PubMed:20921139, PubMed:23524951, PubMed:24587252, PubMed:32333458, PubMed:33854232, PubMed:33854235, PubMed:33854239). The DCX(AMBRA1) complex specifically mediates the polyubiquitination of target proteins such as BECN1, CCND1, CCND2, CCND3, ELOC and ULK1 (PubMed:23524951, PubMed:33854232, PubMed:33854235, PubMed:33854239). Acts as an upstream master regulator of the transition from G1 to S cell phase: AMBRA1 specifically recognizes and binds phosphorylated cyclin-D (CCND1, CCND2 and CCND3), leading to cyclin-D ubiquitination by the DCX(AMBRA1) complex and subsequent degradation (PubMed:33854232, PubMed:33854235, PubMed:33854239). By controlling the transition from G1 to S phase and cyclin-D degradation, AMBRA1 acts as a tumor suppressor that promotes genomic integrity during DNA replication and counteracts developmental abnormalities and tumor growth (PubMed:33854232, PubMed:33854235, PubMed:33854239). AMBRA1 also regulates the cell cycle by promoting MYC dephosphorylation and degradation independently of the DCX(AMBRA1) complex: acts via interaction with the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PPP2CA), which enhances interaction between PPP2CA and MYC, leading to MYC dephosphorylation and degradation (PubMed:25438055, PubMed:25803737). Acts as a regulator of Cul5-RING (CRL5) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complexes by mediating ubiquitination and degradation of Elongin-C (ELOC) component of CRL5 complexes (PubMed:25499913, PubMed:30166453). Acts as a key regulator of autophagy by modulating the BECN1-PIK3C3 complex: controls protein turnover during neuronal development, and regulates normal cell survival and proliferation (PubMed:21358617). In normal conditions, AMBRA1 is tethered to the cytoskeleton via interaction with dyneins DYNLL1 and DYNLL2 (PubMed:20921139). Upon autophagy induction, AMBRA1 is released from the cytoskeletal docking site to induce autophagosome nucleation by mediating ubiquitination of proteins involved in autophagy (PubMed:20921139). The DCX(AMBRA1) complex mediates ‘Lys-63’-linked ubiquitination of BECN1, increasing the association between BECN1 and PIK3C3 to promote PIK3C3 activity (By similarity). In collaboration with TRAF6, AMBRA1 mediates ‘Lys-63’-linked ubiquitination of ULK1 following autophagy induction, promoting ULK1 stability and kinase activity (PubMed:23524951). Also activates ULK1 via interaction with TRIM32: TRIM32 stimulates ULK1 through unanchored ‘Lys-63’-linked polyubiquitin chains (PubMed:31123703). Also acts as an activator of mitophagy via interaction with PRKN and LC3 proteins (MAP1LC3A, MAP1LC3B or MAP1LC3C); possibly by bringing damaged mitochondria onto autophagosomes (PubMed:21753002, PubMed:25215947). Also activates mitophagy by acting as a cofactor for HUWE1; acts by promoting HUWE1-mediated ubiquitination of MFN2 (PubMed:30217973). AMBRA1 is also involved in regulatory T-cells (Treg) differentiation by promoting FOXO3 dephosphorylation independently of the DCX(AMBRA1) complex: acts via interaction with PPP2CA, which enhances interaction between PPP2CA and FOXO3, leading to FOXO3 dephosphorylation and stabilization (PubMed:30513302). May act as a regulator of intracellular trafficking, regulating the localization of active PTK2/FAK and SRC (By similarity). Also involved in transcription regulation by acting as a scaffold for protein complexes at chromatin (By similarity).
