ATG7 is an essential autophagy effector enzyme that plays a crucial role in the autophagy process, which is vital for cellular degradation and recycling. Structurally, ATG7 is a symmetric homodimer with two catalytic cysteine residues. It functions as an E1-like enzyme, activating two major ubiquitin-like proteins involved in autophagy: ATG12 and LC3. These proteins are then conjugated to other autophagy-related molecules, such as ATG5 and phosphatidylethanolamine, to facilitate the formation of autophagosomes. Beyond its role in autophagy, ATG7 is also involved in regulating immunity, cell death, protein secretion, and even cell cycle progression in response to metabolic stress.