Deletion of the beclin 1 (BECN1) gene, which codes for a key autophagy-related protein (ATGs) in autophagosome formation, is reported to increase both the intracellular and extracellular deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques in animal models of AD (Swaminathan et al., 2016). The gene discussed is BECN1; the disease is Alzheimer disease.