E2-like enzyme involved in autophagy. Acts as an E2-like enzyme that catalyzes the conjugation of ATG12 to ATG5. The ATG12-ATG5 conjugates is required for the formation of autophagic vesicles and for the timely progression of senescence and programmed cell death (PCD). Likely serves as an ATG5-recognition molecule. Confers some resistance to nitrogen and carbon starvation. Is also involved in the formation of anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVI). Promotes an autophagic process that constitutes a pro-survival mechanism by controlling the containment of host tissue-destructive microbial infections during necrotrophic pathogen infection, but negatively controls SA-dependent defenses and basal immunity to bacterial infection during biotrophic infection. Slightly induced upon B.cinerea infection. Mutant atg10-1 cannot form the ATG12-ATG5 conjugate and fails to accumulate autophagic bodies inside the vacuole. Plants are hypersensitive to nitrogen and carbon starvation and initiate senescence and programmed cell death (PCD) more quickly. Reduced anthocyanin levels under anthocyanin-inductive conditions. Development of spreading necrosis upon infection with the necrotrophic fungal pathogen, A.brassicicola, which is accompanied by the production of reactive oxygen intermediates and by enhanced hyphal growth. By contrast, in response to the virulent biotrophic phytopathogen, P.syringae pv. tomato, plants exhibit a marked resistance without spreading necrosis. Enhanced powdery mildew (e.g. G.cichoracearum) resistance. Belongs to the ATG10 family.