Required for cytoplasm to vacuole transport (Cvt), autophagy, nucleophagy, and mitophagy, as a part of the autophagy-specific vps34 PI3-kinase complex I. This complex is essential to recruit the atg8-phosphatidylinositol conjugate and the atg12-atg5 conjugate to the preautophagosomal structure. Also involved in endosome-to-Golgi retrograde transport as part of the vps34 PI3-kinase complex II (By similarity). Plays a role in meiosis and sporulation. Component of the autophagy-specific vps34 PI3-kinase complex I and of the vps34 PI3-kinase complex II. The C-terminal domain called the BARA domain is dispensable for the construction of both vps34 PI3-kinase complexes, but is specifically required for autophagy through the targeting of complex I to the preautophagosomal structure. Impairs atg8-processing. Belongs to the beclin family.