Autophagy-related gene product8(ATG8) phosphatidylethanolamine(PE) is a unique protein that is located on the autophagic membrane, and is frequently related to the formation of autophagosomes. Autophagosomes are transported to the lysosomes through cytoskeletal proteins, and then their outer membranes fuse with the membrane of lysosomes and form autolysosomes. Autophagosome and its contents are degraded to macromolecules by lysosomal enzymes in acidic environment and are released into the cytoplasm through membrane permeability. The ATG8-PE connection system is the core regulator of autophagy. A mass of membrane-bound ATG8 are located in the cell autophagy intima and adventitia when cells are induced by autophagy. Thus, ATG8-PE is a good marker for detecting autophagy. Any variation of ATG complexes of autophagic membrane will lead to the formation of defects of autophagosomes. Human tumors, such as colon, breast and lung cancer, can increase ATG protein expression. The connection of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ may be missed with poor prognosis. This review concludes with a presentation of research advances concerning the molecular mechanism of autophagy, ATG8 connection system, and its expression in head and neck malignant tumors.
