Pacer (protein)

Pacer (also known as Rubicon-like) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RUBCNL gene. Pacer has been shown to increase cellular autophagy through regulation of PI3KC3.

Pacer contains a Rubicon homology (RH) domain at its C-terminus, which mediates binding to small GTPase Rab7 when Rab7 is phosphorylated following mitochondrial damage. This domain is shared with RH domain containing family members Rubicon and PLEKHM1. Whereas Pacer appears to upregulate autophagic activity, Rubicon is a negative regulator of autophagy.