Indeed, ATG5-deficient mice are unable to release MUC2,37 and ATG7 knockout animals exhibit a diminished mucus layer and are more susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.56 Unexpectedly, neither the diet nor the genotype-modified LC3 protein expression and the gene expression of a number of known autophagy markers. The gene discussed is MUC2; the disease is colitis.