BECN1 and neoplasm: ATG6 (Beclin 1 in mammalian cells) interacts with and activates phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase type III, thus generating phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate-enriched membranes, which contribute to the recruitment of downstream autophagic factors.11 In tumour cells, autophagy acts as a double-edged sword.