雌激素通过GPR30-AMPK-mTOR通路诱导Ishikawa细胞自噬增强细胞活力（英文）

雌激素是子宫内膜癌发生发展的重要诱导因子,但关于其在子宫内膜癌中的作用机制目前仍不明确。自噬对细胞的存活具有重要的调节作用,研究发现其在子宫内膜癌发生发展的过程中起重要的调节作用。本文通过探讨雌激素对子宫内膜癌细胞自噬的影响,深入地了解雌激素促进子宫内膜发展的机制,并明确GPR30-AMPK-mT OR通路在其中的作用。MTT及透视电镜的结果显示,雌激素可以诱导细胞的自噬及增强细胞的活力,而这种作用具有一定的时间及浓度依赖性。同时,蛋白质印迹及实时定量PCR结果显示雌激素可以促进LC3、p-AMPK的表达,并且抑制P62、pmT OR的表达,表明雌激素可以激活AMPK/mT OR通路。沉默G蛋白偶联受体30(GPR30)后,结果显示雌激素诱导细胞的自噬及细胞活力的作用被逆转,并且可以抑制AMPK/mT OR通路的激活,而G-1结果与之相反,表明雌激素通过GPR30激活AMPK/mT OR通路,诱导自噬及细胞活力。此外,加入AMPK抑制剂compound C,可以抑制雌激素诱导细胞的自噬及细胞活力的能力,并且促进P62、p-mT OR表达,降低LC3及p-AMPK表达,表明雌激素通过激活AMPK/mT OR激活细胞自噬及增强细胞活力。同时细胞预先加入自噬抑制剂3-MA或转染ATG5siRNA,可以降低雌激素增强细胞的活力,表明雌激素通过诱导自噬增强细胞活力。综合以上结果,雌激素通过GPR30-AMPK-mT OR通路诱导细胞的自噬增强细胞的活力。     

白藜芦醇经PI3K/Akt/mTOR 信号通路诱导人肾癌786-O细胞自噬

白藜芦醇(resveratrol)可抑制人肾癌786-O细胞增殖,并诱导其凋亡,但是白藜芦醇对786-O细胞自噬(autophagy)的影响及机制尚不清楚。为探究其机制,体外培养786-O细胞,采用CCK-8检测786-O细胞活力;TUNEL染色检测786-O细胞凋亡;透射电子显微镜观察786-O细胞自噬体;吖啶橙染色观察786-O细胞自噬小泡;GFP-LC3质粒转染分析观察786-O细胞自噬体;Western印迹检测LC3、beclin-1、PI3K、p-PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、mTOR和p-mTOR的表达。结果显示,白藜芦醇以浓度和时间依赖性的方式抑制786-O细胞活力,并诱导细胞凋亡;与对照组相比,白藜芦醇使786-O细胞自噬增强;Western印迹结果显示,与对照组相比,白藜芦醇组LC3-II/LC3-I和Beclin-1显著增高(P0.01),表明白藜芦醇导致786-O细胞自噬体积累。与对照组相比,白藜芦醇使786-O细胞的p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt和p-mTOR/mTOR显著降低(P0.01),表明白藜芦醇可通过PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路增强自噬。综上所述,白藜芦醇通过抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路从而诱导786-O细胞自噬。     

细叶远志皂苷在Aβ23-35诱导SH-SY5Y 细胞氧化损伤中的作用及机制研究

为研究细叶远志皂苷(tenuifolin,TEN)在Aβ25-35诱导SH-SY5Y细胞氧化损伤中的作用,并探讨其作用机制。建立Aβ25-35诱导的细胞损伤模型,细叶远志皂苷以及自噬抑制剂3-MA进行干预,显微镜观察细胞形态变化,试剂盒检测细胞氧化应激水平,RT-qPCR和Westernblot检测细叶远志皂苷以及自噬抑制剂干预前后Beclin-1、LC3、mTOR、AMPK和ULK1mRNA及蛋白水平变化。结果发现,TEN改善Aβ25-35诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞形态损伤和细胞活力下降;降低ROS和MDA浓度,并提高SOD、GSH-Px及过氧化氢酶的活性;增加AMPK和ULK1的表达,减少mTOR的表达及增加Beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ的表达水平。而加入3-MA会拮抗TEN的作用。总之,TEN可能通过调控AMPK/mTOR/ULK1通路,增加Beclin-1及LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ蛋白水平激活自噬,进而改善Aβ25-35诱导的细胞形态损伤和细胞活力下降,提高细胞抗氧化应激能力,发挥神经保护作用。     

番鸭呼肠孤病毒感染诱导细胞自噬的研究

本研究通过透射电镜观察自噬体的形态学结构,蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)检测细胞自噬相关蛋白LC3II和磷酸化mTOR(p-mTOR)表达量的动态变化趋势,探索番鸭呼肠孤病毒(MDRV)感染对细胞自噬的影响。结果显示,MDRV-YB株感染的DF-1细胞中可见典型的包裹胞浆成分的双层膜结构;MDRV感染番鸭成纤维细胞(MDFs)和DF-1细胞后0~60h内,其LC3II表达量均呈现先升高后降低的趋势,且均在感染后36h达到最大值,其p-mTOR表达量均呈现先降低后回升的趋势,且分别在感染后36h和24h达到最低值;灭活MDRV组细胞未见LC3II表达。结果表明MDRV能够诱导感染的MDFs和DF-1细胞持续较长时间细胞自噬,而灭活的MDRV不能引起细胞自噬。     

青藏高原黑果枸杞花青素对人肝癌细胞增殖和自噬的影响

探究黑果枸杞花青素在体外对人肝癌HepG2细胞增殖和自噬的影响。利用CCK-8法测定细胞活力,EdU和细胞划痕试验检测细胞增殖和迁移效果,RT-PCR和Western blot检测增殖和自噬相关基因的mRNA和蛋白表达。结果显示,黑果枸杞花青素可有效抑制人肝癌HepG2细胞的增殖和迁移;上调增殖因子(LATS1、LATS2和MOB1)和自噬因子(Beclin-1、LC3-Ⅱ和AMPK),并下调增殖因子YAP的mRNA水平;下调自噬因子p-mTOR和细胞周期因子CDK4,并上调自噬因子p-AMPK和LC3-Ⅱ的蛋白表达。由此推测黑果枸杞花青素可在体外抑制人肝癌HepG2细胞增殖和迁移,并促进人肝癌HepG2细胞发生自噬。     

运动通过调节SCFAs延缓衰老及其作用机制的研究进展

短链脂肪酸(SCFAs)作为肠道菌群的代谢产物,其水平失衡与衰老以及增龄相关疾病的发生发展关系密切。本文通过归纳、总结近年运动与老年人产SCFAs菌群相关的研究,系统论述运动对SCFAs的影响,以及SCFAs介导运动延缓衰老可能的作用机制。结果显示：运动能优化老年人肠道菌群组成,使产SCFAs菌群占比增加,促进SCFAs产生;运动调控SCFAs延缓衰老的分子机制可能涉及炎症反应、糖脂代谢及细胞自噬等多个方面。(1)炎症状态缓解：SCFAs激活GPR41/GPR43或HDAC抑制NF-κB通路,降低炎症因子水平,缓解炎性衰老。(2)改善糖脂代谢：SCFAs一方面通过GPR41/GPR43受体促进PYY、GLP-1和瘦素释放,加速血糖被骨骼肌或脂肪组织摄取利用;另一方面介导AMPK通路抑制肝脏糖异生,同时通过AMPK通路上调脂肪组织UCP-1/UCP-2等产热蛋白或ATGL等脂解蛋白表达,促进脂肪氧化与分解。(3)影响细胞自噬：SCFAs可经由AMPK/mTOR或PI3K/Akt/mTOR通路调控细胞自噬,改善衰老相关疾病病程。本文以SCFAs为切入点,对运动调控SCFAs表达进而延缓衰老...     

脂联素抑制子宫内膜癌HEC-1B细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭的作用及机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨脂联素（APN）对子宫内膜癌HEC-1B细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭的抑制作用及分子机制。方法：分别采用磺酰罗丹明 B(SRB)实验、细胞迁移(Transwell)实验和划痕实验检测子宫内膜癌细胞HEC-1B的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。采用蛋白免疫印迹（Western blot）法检测腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)信号通路相关蛋白、AdipoR1、AdipoR2、cyclinD1和cyclinE2蛋白表达水平。结果：与对照组相比,APN组HEC-1B细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭功能明显下降（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,APN组p-AMPK/AMPK比值明显提高,而p-mTOR/mTOR和p-4EBP1/4EBP1比值明显下降（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,APN组cyclinD1和cyclinE2蛋白表达水平明显下降（P<0.05）。APN组和对照组的AdipoR1、AdipoR2蛋白表达水平比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论：APN能够激活AMPK信号通路并下调cyclinD1和cyclinE2蛋白表达,进而抑制子宫内膜癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭功能。     

PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路在脂多糖诱导的大鼠肝星状细胞自噬中的作用

该文探讨了磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(Akt)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)信号通路在脂多糖(LPS)诱导的大鼠肝星状细胞-T6(HSC-T6)自噬中的作用。体外培养HSCT6细胞,随机分为对照组、LPS组、雷帕霉素(Rapamycin, Rapa)组、LPS+Rapa组、LY294002组、LPS+LY294002组, SC79组、LPS+SC79组,各组经相应处理后,单丹磺酰尸胺(MDC)染色法观察自噬溶酶体变化;细胞免疫荧光法检测各组微管相关蛋白轻链Ⅱ(LC3 Ⅱ)表达; Western blot检测各组通路蛋白p-Akt、p-mTOR、Akt、mTOR及自噬相关蛋白LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1的表达; qRT-PCR检测各组LC3 Ⅱ和Beclin1 mRNA的表达。结果显示,LPS+Rapa组、LPS+LY294002组较LPS组的自噬溶酶体、LC3 Ⅱ荧光亮点含量无明显差异(P0.05), LPS+SC79组较LPS组的自噬溶酶体、LC3 Ⅱ荧光亮点含量明显减少(P0.05); Western blot显示, LPS+Rapa组、LPS+LY294002组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1、p-Akt、p-mTOR蛋白表达水平无明显差异(P0.05), LPS+SC79组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1含量明显减少, p-Akt、p-mTOR蛋白表达水平明显增加(P0.05); qRT-PCR显示LPS+Rapa组、LPS+LY294002组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1 mRNA含量无明显差异(P0.05), LPS+SC79组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1 mRNA含量明显减少(P0.05)。该项研究结果表明,LPS可能通过抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路促进HSC-T6细胞自噬。     

mTOR信号通路诱导的自噬在心肌细胞缺氧损伤中的作用研究

目的:探讨自噬在心肌细胞缺氧损伤中的作用及分子机制。方法:体外分离培养乳鼠心肌细胞,体外建立缺氧/去血清(H/SD)模型以模拟在体的缺血环境。分别给予自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤(3MA,5 mM)和mTOR抑制剂雷帕霉素(1.0μg/L)调节心肌细胞自噬水平。分别采用TUNEL染色检测心肌细胞凋亡,Western blot方法检测心肌细胞蛋白表达水平。结果:H/SD损伤可以显著诱导心肌细胞自噬水平(P0.05),并且细胞自噬水平可以被3-MA及雷帕霉素调节。同时,H/SD可以显著增加心肌细胞凋亡(P0.05),而给予3-MA抑制自噬水平可以减少细胞凋亡(P0.05)。相反,雷帕霉素增加自噬同样可以加重缺氧导致的心肌细胞凋亡(P0.05)。H/SD损伤过程中,心肌细胞mTOR信号通路被激活,而自噬抑制剂3-MA可以显著提高缺氧条件下心肌细胞中p-mTOR(Ser2448)的表达水平(P0.05),并增加mTOR下游分子p-p70S6k(P0.05)和p-S6(P0.05)的表达。结论:mTOR信号通路诱导的细胞自噬可能参与了缺氧损伤诱导的心肌细胞凋亡。     

丙泊酚对转化生长因子-β1诱导肝星状细胞激活的影响及其机制

目的: 观察丙泊酚对转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)诱导的肝星状细胞系HSC2-T6细胞激活的影响并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法: 实验分为对照组、TGF-β1组、丙泊酚组、TGF-β1+丙泊酚组、雷帕霉素组、TGF-β1+丙泊酚+雷帕霉素组。先用含雷帕霉素(5 μmol/L)DMEM培养液培养1 h,用丙泊酚(100 μmol/L)处理1 h,然后再加入TGF-β1(5 ng/ml)继续共同培养24 h。细胞的增殖水平通过MTT法测量,细胞培养液上清中透明质酸(HA)、IV型胶原(IV-C)和层粘连蛋白(LN)的浓度采用ELISA法测量,细胞的超微结构采用透射电镜观测,α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)、磷酸化mTOR(p-mTOR)及自噬相关基因Beclin 1、微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3)和p62的表达通过Western blot测量。结果: 与对照组比较,TGF-β1组细胞增殖、α-SMA蛋白的表达、培养液上清中HA、IV-C和LN的浓度、自噬体数量、Beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ的蛋白表达及LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值显著性增加(P均＜0.05),p-mTOR蛋白的表达和p-mTOR/mTOR比值及p62的蛋白表达显著性降低(P均＜0.05)。与TGF-β1组比较,丙泊酚+TGF-β1组细胞增殖、α-SMA蛋白的表达、培养液上清中HA、IV-C和LN的浓度、自噬体数量、Beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ的蛋白表达及LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值均显著性降低(P均＜0.05),p-mTOR蛋白表达和p-mTOR/TOR比值及p62的蛋白表达均显著性增加(P均＜0.05)。mTOR抑制剂雷帕霉素部分逆转丙泊酚的作用。结论: 丙泊酚抑制TGFβ1诱导的肝星状细胞激活,其机制涉及mTOR-自噬途径。     

Phellodendrine promotes autophagy by regulating the AMPK/mTOR pathway and treats ulcerative colitis

To investigate the therapeutic effects of phellodendrine in ulcerative colitis (UC) through the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Volunteers were recruited to observe the therapeutic effects of Compound Cortex Phellodendri Liquid (Huangbai liniment). The main components of Compound Cortex Phellodendri Liquid were analysed via network pharmacology. The target of phellodendrine was further analysed. Caco-2 cells were cultured, and H₂O₂ was used to stimulate in vitro cell model. Expression levels of LC3, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR and p-mTOR were detected via Western blotting and through immunofluorescence experiments. The therapeutic effects of phellodendrine were analysed via expression spectrum chip sequencing. The sequencing of intestinal flora further elucidated the therapeutic effects of phellodendrine. Compared with the control group, Compound Cortex Phellodendri Liquid could substantially improve the healing of intestinal mucosa. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that phellodendrine is the main component of Compound Cortex Phellodendri Liquid. Moreover, this alkaloid targets the AMPK signalling pathway. Results of animal experiments showed that phellodendrine could reduce the intestinal damage of UC compared with the model group. Findings of cell experiments indicated that phellodendrine treatment could activate the p-AMPK /mTOR signalling pathway, as well as autophagy. Expression spectrum chip sequencing showed that treatment with phellodendrine could promote mucosal healing and reduce inflammatory responses. Results of intestinal flora detection demonstrated that treatment with phellodendrine could increase the abundance of flora and the content of beneficial bacteria. Phellodendrine may promote autophagy by regulating the AMPK-mTOR signalling pathway, thereby reducing intestinal injury due to UC.     

Shear Stress Induces Phenotypic Modulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via AMPK/mTOR/ULK1-Mediated Autophagy

Phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is involved in the pathophysiological processes of the intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Although shear stress has been implicated in the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic conversion of VSMCs, the molecular mechanisms underlying these events are currently unknown. In this study, we investigated whether shear stress(SS)-induced VSMC phenotypic modulation was mediated by autophagy involved in adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) pathway. The results show that shear stress could inhibit the expression of key VSMC contractile genes and induce pro-inflammatory/matrix-remodeling genes levels, contributing to VSMCs phenotypic switching from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. More importantly, Shear stress also markedly increased the levels of the autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3II), Beclin-1, and p62 degradation. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) significantly blocked shear-induced phenotypic modulation of VSMCs. To further explore the molecular mechanism involved in shear-induced autophagy, we found that shear stress could activate AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway in VSMCs. Compound C, a pharmacological inhibitor of AMPK, significantly reduced the levels of p-AMPK and p-ULK, enhanced p-mTOR level, and finally decreased LC3II and Beclin-1 level, which suggested that activated AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling was related to shear-mediated autophagy. These results indicate that shear stress promotes VSMC phenotypic modulation through the induction of autophagy involved in activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway.     

AMPK/mTOR信号通路的研究进展

mTOR是细胞生长和增殖的中枢调控因子。mTOR形成2个不同的复合物mTORC1和mTORC2。mTORC1受多种信号调节,如生长因子、氨基酸和细胞能量,同时,mTORC1调节许多重要的细胞过程,包括翻译、转录和自噬。AMPK作为一种关键的生理能量传感器,是细胞和有机体能量平衡的主要调节因子,协调多种代谢途径,平衡能量的供应和需求,最终调节细胞和器官的生长。能量代谢平衡调控是由多个与之相关的信号通路所介导,其中AMPK/mTOR信号通路在细胞内共同构成一个合成代谢和分解代谢过程的开关。此外,AMPK/mTOR信号通路还是一个自噬的重要调控途径。本文着重于目前对AMPK和mTOR信号传导之间关系的了解,讨论了AMPK/mTOR在细胞和有机体能量稳态中的作用。     

Autophagy induction by xanthoangelol exhibits anti‐metastatic activities in hepatocellular carcinoma

Xanthoangelol (XAG), a prenylated chalcone isolated from the Japanese herb Angelica keiskei Koidzumi, has been reported to exhibit antineoplastic properties. However, the specific anti‐tumor activity of XAG in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the relevant mechanisms are not known. Herein, we evaluated the effect of XAG against HCC in vitro and in vivo. Although XAG treatment did not significantly reduce the viability of the Hep3B and Huh7 cell lines, it suppressed cell migration, invasion, and EMT. This anti‐metastatic effect of XAG was due to induction of autophagy, because treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyadenine (3‐MA) or knockdown of the pro‐autophagy Beclin‐1 effectively abrogated the XAG‐induced suppression of metastasis. Mechanistically, XAG induced autophagy via activation of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and XAG treatment dramatically increased the expression of p‐AMPK while decreasing p‐mTOR expression. In addition, blocking AMPK/mTOR axis with compound C abrogated the autophagy‐mediated inhibition of metastasis. The murine model of HCC metastasis also showed that XAG effectively reduced the number of metastatic pulmonary nodules. Taken together, our results revealed that autophagy via the activation of AMPK/mTOR pathway is essential for the anti‐metastatic effect of XAG against HCC. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of the anti‐tumor activity of XAG but also provide a basis for its clinical application in HCC. Before this study, evidence of XAG on HCC was purely anecdotal; present study provides the first comprehensive assessments of XAG on HCC metastasis and investigates its underlying mechanism. Results suggest that XAG exerts anti‐metastatic properties against HCC through inducing autophagy which is mediated by the activation of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. This research extends our knowledge about the antineoplastic properties of XAG and suggests that induction autophagy may represent future treatment strategies for metastatic HCC.     

Activation of autophagy via Ca2+-dependent AMPK/mTOR pathway in rat notochordal cells is a cellular adaptation under hyperosmotic stress

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells experience hyperosmotic stress in spinal discs; however, how these cells can survive in the hostile microenvironment remains unclear. Autophagy has been suggested to maintain cellular homeostasis under different stresses by degrading the cytoplasmic proteins and organelles. Here, we explored whether autophagy is a cellular adaptation in rat notochordal cells under hyperosmotic stress. Hyperosmotic stress was found to activate autophagy in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SQSTM1/P62 expression was decreased as the autophagy level increased. Transient Ca²⁺ influx from intracellular stores and extracellular space was stimulated by hyperosmotic stress. Activation of AMPK and inhibition of p70S6K were observed under hyperosmotic conditions. However, intercellular Ca²⁺ chelation inhibited the increase of LC3-II and partly reversed the decrease of p70S6K. Hyperosmotic stress decreased cell viability and promoted apoptosis. Inhibition of autophagy led to SQSTM1/P62 accumulation, reduced cell viability, and accelerated apoptosis in notochordal cells under this condition. These evidences suggest that autophagy induction via the Ca²⁺-dependent AMPK/mTOR pathway might occur as an adaptation mechanism for notochordal cells under hyperosmotic stress. Thus, activating autophagy might be a promising approach to improve viability of notochordal cells in intervertebral discs.     

To die or to live: the dual role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in autophagy and necrosis under oxidative stress and DNA damage

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), activated by DNA strand breaks, participates in the DNA repair process physiologically. Excessive activation of PARP-1 mediates necrotic cell death under the status of oxidative stress and DNA damage. However, it remains elusive whether and how PARP-1 activation is involved in autophagy and what is the function of PARP-1-mediated autophagy under oxidative stress and DNA damage. We recently demonstrate that hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induces autophagy through a novel autophagy signalling mechanism linking PARP-1 activation to the LKB1-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Furthermore, PARP-1-mediated autophagy plays a cytoprotective role in H₂O₂-induced necrotic cell death as suppression of autophagy greatly sensitizes H2O2-induced cell death. Our study thus identifies a novel function of PARP-1 in mediating autophagy and it appears that PAPR-1 possesses a dual role in modulating necrosis and autophagy under oxidative stress and DNA damage: on the one hand, overactivation of PARP-1 leads to ATP depletion and necrotic cell death; on the other hand, PARP-1 activation promotes autophagy via the LKB1-AMPK-mTOR pathway to enhance cell survival. The cellular decision of life or death depends on the balance between autophagy and necrosis mediated by these two distinct pathways.     

AMPK and mTOR regulate autophagy through direct phosphorylation of Ulk1

Autophagy is a process by which components of the cell are degraded to maintain essential activity and viability in response to nutrient limitation. Extensive genetic studies have shown that the yeast ATG1 kinase has an essential role in autophagy induction. Furthermore, autophagy is promoted by AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is a key energy sensor and regulates cellular metabolism to maintain energy homeostasis. Conversely, autophagy is inhibited by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a central cell-growth regulator that integrates growth factor and nutrient signals. Here we demonstrate a molecular mechanism for regulation of the mammalian autophagy-initiating kinase Ulk1, a homologue of yeast ATG1. Under glucose starvation, AMPK promotes autophagy by directly activating Ulk1 through phosphorylation of Ser 317 and Ser 777. Under nutrient sufficiency, high mTOR activity prevents Ulk1 activation by phosphorylating Ulk1 Ser 757 and disrupting the interaction between Ulk1 and AMPK. This coordinated phosphorylation is important for Ulk1 in autophagy induction. Our study has revealed a signalling mechanism for Ulk1 regulation and autophagy induction in response to nutrient signalling.     

Autophagy: regulation by energy sensing

Autophagy is inhibited by the mTOR signaling pathway, which is stimulated by increased amino acid levels. When cellular energy production is compromised, AMP-activated protein kinase is activated, mTOR is inhibited and autophagy is stimulated. Two recent studies have shed light on the molecular mechanism by which AMPK controls autophagic flux.     

Therapeutic metformin/AMPK activation blocked lymphoma cell growth via inhibition of mTOR pathway and induction of autophagy

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acts as a major sensor of cellular energy status in cancers and is critically involved in cell sensitivity to anticancer agents. Here, we showed that AMPK was inactivated in lymphoma and related to the upregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. AMPK activator metformin potentially inhibited the growth of B- and T-lymphoma cells. Strong antitumor effect was also observed on primary lymphoma cells while sparing normal hematopoiesis ex vivo. Metformin-induced AMPK activation was associated with the inhibition of the mTOR signaling without involving AKT. Moreover, lymphoma cell response to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin and mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus was significantly enhanced when co-treated with metformin. Pharmacologic and molecular knock-down of AMPK attenuated metformin-mediated lymphoma cell growth inhibition and drug sensitization. In vivo, metformin induced AMPK activation, mTOR inhibition and remarkably blocked tumor growth in murine lymphoma xenografts. Of note, metformin was equally effective when given orally. Combined treatment of oral metformin with doxorubicin or temsirolimus triggered lymphoma cell autophagy and functioned more efficiently than either agent alone. Taken together, these data provided first evidence for the growth-inhibitory and drug-sensitizing effect of metformin on lymphoma. Selectively targeting mTOR pathway through AMPK activation may thus represent a promising new strategy to improve treatment of lymphoma patients.     

Restoration of autophagy by puerarin in ethanol-treated hepatocytes via the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase

We investigated the effects of puerarin, the major isoflavone in Kudzu roots, on the regulation of autophagy in ethanol-treated hepatocytes. Incubation in ethanol (100 mM) for 24 h reduced cell viability by 20% and increased the cellular concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides by 40% and 20%, respectively. Puerarin stimulation significantly recovered cell viability and reduced cellular lipid accumulation to a level comparable to that in untreated control cells. Ethanol incubation reduced autophagy significantly as assessed by microtubule-associated protein1 light chain 3 (LC3) expression using immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis. The reduced expression of LC3 was restored by puerarin in a dose-dependent manner in ethanol-treated cells. The effect of puerarin on mammalian targets of rapamycin (mTOR), a key regulator of autophagy, was examined in ethanol-treated hepatocytes. Immunoblotting revealed that puerarin significantly induced the phosphorylation of 5′AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thereby suppressing the mTOR target proteins S6 ribosomal protein and 4E-binding protein 1. These data suggest that puerarin restored the viability of cells and reduced lipid accumulation in ethanol-treated hepatocytes by activating autophagy via AMPK/mTOR-mediated signaling.