Adapter protein that connects P-granules in somatic cells with the autophagic machinery (PubMed:19377305, PubMed:19372764, PubMed:19167332, PubMed:24140420). Association with other adapters such as epg-2 and P-granule components such as pgl-3 is required for the accumulation and degradation of P-granules by autophagy in somatic cells (PubMed:19372764, PubMed:19167332, PubMed:24140420, PubMed:28806108). This ensures exclusive localization of the P-granules in germ cells (PubMed:19372764, PubMed:19167332, PubMed:24140420, PubMed:28806108). Self-associates (PubMed:19167332). Interacts (via the LIR motifs) with lgg-1; the interaction is direct (PubMed:19167332, PubMed:26687600). Interacts (via the LIR motifs) with lgg-2; the interaction is direct (PubMed:26687600). Interacts with pgl-3; interaction is enhanced in the presence of RNA (PubMed:19167332, PubMed:24140420). Interacts with epg-2; may be modulated by prmt-1 (PubMed:24140420, PubMed:28806108). Diffuse cytoplasmic localization, but also localized to cytoplasmic aggregates throughout development (PubMed:19167332, PubMed:21802374). Co-localizes with epg-2 and lgg-1 in cytoplasmic aggregates (PubMed:19167332, PubMed:24140420). First expressed in 16-cell stage embryos (PubMed:19167332). Temporal expression during embryogenesis with high expression as embryos develop into 100-stage embryos, but with low expression in most cells at the comma stage and almost diminished expression at the 2-fold stage of embryogenesis (PubMed:19377305, PubMed:19167332, PubMed:21802374, PubMed:24140420). Expressed in the head, tail and intestine, especially in the anterior and posterior intestinal cells, of larvae (PubMed:19167332). The LIR motifs (LC3-interacting region) are required for its interaction with lgg-1 and lgg-2. Degraded by autophagy. RNAi-mediated knockdown results in the accumulation of cytoplasmic aggregates containing the P-granule component pgl-3 (PubMed:24140420). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in the disrupted formation of P-granules in an atg-18 autophagy mutant background (PubMed:19167332).