Autophagic response to a single bout of moderate exercise in murine skeletal muscle

The effect of a single bout of exercise on autopahgy in murine gastrocnemius muscle was investigated. Autophagy is a process for the degradation system of cytoplasmic components, which may help maintain intracellular quality control of cell survival and turnover under normal conditions. The present study investigated the changes of autophagy-related proteins including microtubule-associated protein 1b light chain 3 (LC3), Beclin-1, Atg7 (autophagy-related gene 7), conjugation form of Atg12 to Atg5, lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP2a), and muscle-specific RING finger protein-1 (MURF-1) protein level in gastrocnemius muscle after a single bout of treadmill exercise. Mice exercised on a treadmill for 50 min at a speed of 12.3 m/min with a slope of 5°. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 0, 3, 6, or 12 h after exercise, and muscle samples were collected immediately. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the autophagy marker LC3-II was significantly decreased during the recovery period (3, 6, and 12 h) whereas there was no decrease immediately after exercise (0 h). To identify factors related to this decrease, autophagosome component proteins were examined in murine gastrocnemius muscle. A decrease in Beclin-1, Atg7, and LAMP2a during recovery period was concomitant with the decreased level of LC3-II. Additionally, MuRF-1 expression was significantly increased after a single bout of exercise. This study is the first to demonstrate autophasic related protein expression after a single bout of treadmill exercise and our results suggest that a single bout of treadmill exercise attenuates the autophagic response in murine skeletal muscle.     

Compound C induces protective autophagy in cancer cells through AMPK inhibition-independent blockade of Akt/mTOR pathway

In the present study, we report that compound C, an inhibitor of a key intracellular energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), can induce autophagy in cancer cells. The induction of autophagy in U251 human glioma cell line was demonstrated by acridine orange staining of intracellular acidic vesicles, Beclin 1 induction, p62 decrease and conversion of LC3-I to autophagosome-associated LC3-II in the presence of proteolysis inhibitors. The presence of autophagosome-like vesicles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Compound C-mediated inhibition of AMPK and raptor in U251 cells was associated with paradoxical decrease in phosphorylation of AMPK/raptor-repressed mTOR, a major negative regulator of autophagy, and its downstream target p70S6K. The phosphorylation of an mTOR activator Akt and the PI3K-activating kinase Src was also impaired in compound C-treated cells. The siRNA-mediated AMPK silencing did not reduce the activity of the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway and AMPK activators metformin and AIC AR failed to block compound C-induced autophagy. Autophagy inhibitors bafilomycin and chloroquine significantly increased the cytotoxicity of compound C towards U251 cells, as confirmed by increase in lactate dehydrogenase release, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation. Similar effects of compound C were also observed in C6 rat glioma, L929 mouse fibrosarcoma and B16 mouse melanoma cell lines. Since compound C has previously been reported to suppress AMPK-dependent autophagy in different cell types, our findings suggest that the effects of compound C on autophagy might be dose-, cell type- and/or context-dependent. By demonstrating the ability of compound C to induce autophagic response in cancer cells via AMPK inhibition-independent downregulation of Akt/mTOR pathway, our results warrant caution when using compound C to inhibit AMPK-dependent cellular responses, but also support further exploration of compound C and related molecules as potential anticancer agents.     

Compound C induces protective autophagy in cancer cells through AMPK inhibition-independent blockade of Akt/mTOR pathway

In the present study, we report that compound C, an inhibitor of a key intracellular energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), can induce autophagy in cancer cells. The induction of autophagy in U251 human glioma cell line was demonstrated by acridine orange staining of intracellular acidic vesicles, Beclin 1 induction, p62 decrease and conversion of LC3-I to autophagosome-associated LC3-II in the presence of proteolysis inhibitors. The presence of autophagosome-like vesicles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Compound C-mediated inhibition of AMPK and raptor in U251 cells was associated with paradoxical decrease in phosphorylation of AMPK/raptor-repressed mTOR, a major negative regulator of autophagy, and its downstream target p70S6K. The phosphorylation of an mTOR activator Akt and the PI3K-activating kinase Src was also impaired in compound C-treated cells. The siRNA-mediated AMPK silencing did not reduce the activity of the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway and AMPK activators metformin and AIC AR failed to block compound C-induced autophagy. Autophagy inhibitors bafilomycin and chloroquine significantly increased the cytotoxicity of compound C towards U251 cells, as confirmed by increase in lactate dehydrogenase release, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation. Similar effects of compound C were also observed in C6 rat glioma, L929 mouse fibrosarcoma and B16 mouse melanoma cell lines. Since compound C has previously been reported to suppress AMPK-dependent autophagy in different cell types, our findings suggest that the effects of compound C on autophagy might be dose-, cell type- and/or context-dependent. By demonstrating the ability of compound C to induce autophagic response in cancer cells via AMPK inhibition-independent downregulation of Akt/mTOR pathway, our results warrant caution when using compound C to inhibit AMPK-dependent cellular responses, but also support further exploration of compound C and related molecules as potential anticancer agents.     

Differential activation of mTOR signaling by contractile activity in skeletal muscle

The cellular mechanisms by which contractile activity stimulates skeletal muscle hypertrophy are beginning to be elucidated and appear to include activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling substrate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). We examined the time course and location of mTOR phosphorylation in response to an acute bout of contractile activity. Rat hindlimb muscle contractile activity was elicited by high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFES) of the sciatic nerve. Plantaris (Pla), tibialis anterior (TA), and soleus (Sol) muscles from stimulated and control limbs were collected immediately or 6 h after stimulation. HFES resulted in mTOR phosphorylation immediately after (3.4 +/- 0.9-fold, P < 0.01) contractile activity in Pla, whereas TA was unchanged compared with controls. mTOR phosphorylation remained elevated in Pla (3.6 +/- 0.6-fold) and increased in TA (4.6 +/- 0.9-fold, P < 0.05) 6 h after HFES. Interestingly, mTOR activation occurred predominantly in fibers expressing type IIa but not type I myosin heavy chain isoform. Furthermore, HFES induced modest ribosomal protein S6 kinase phosphorylation immediately after exercise in Pla (0.4 +/- 0.1-fold, P < 0.05) but not TA and more markedly 6 h after in both Pla and TA (1.4 +/- 0.4-fold vs. 2.4 +/- 0.3-fold, respectively, P < 0.01). Akt/PKB phosphorylation was similar to controls at both time points. These results suggest that mTOR signaling is increased after a single bout of muscle contractile activity. Despite reports that mTOR is activated downstream of Akt/PKB, in this study, HFES induced mTOR signaling independent of Akt/PKB phosphorylation. Fiber type-dependent mTOR phosphorylation may be a molecular basis by which some fiber types are more susceptible to contraction-induced hypertrophy.     

BAFF inhibits autophagy promoting cell proliferation and survival by activating Ca2+-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in normal and neoplastic B-lymphoid cells

B cell activating factor from the TNF family (BAFF) is implicated in not only the physiology of normal B cells, but also the pathophysiology of aggressive B cells related to malignant and autoimmune diseases. Autophagy plays a crucial role in balancing the beneficial and detrimental effects of immunity and inflammation. However, little is known about whether and how excessive BAFF mediates autophagy contributing to B-cell proliferation and survival. Here, we show that excessive human soluble BAFF (hsBAFF) inhibited autophagy with a concomitant reduction of LC3-II in normal and B-lymphoid (Raji) cells. Knockdown of LC3 not only potentiated hsBAFF inhibition of autophagy, but also attenuated hsBAFF activation of Akt/mTOR pathway, thereby diminishing hsBAFF-induced B-cell proliferation/viability. Further, we found that hsBAFF inhibition of autophagy was Akt/mTOR-dependent. This is supported by the findings that hsBAFF increased mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of ULK1 (Ser757); Akt inhibitor X, mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin, mTORC1/2 inhibitor PP242, expression of dominant negative Akt, or knockdown of mTOR attenuated hsBAFF-induced phosphorylation of ULK1, decrease of LC3-II level, and increase of cell proliferation/viability. Chelating intracellular free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) with BAPTA/AM or preventing [Ca²⁺]_i elevation using EGTA or 2-APB profoundly blocked hsBAFF-induced activation of Akt/mTOR, phosphorylation of ULK1 and decrease of LC3-II, as well as increase of cell proliferation/viability. Similar effects were observed in the cells where CaMKII was inhibited by KN93 or knocked down by CaMKII shRNA. Collectively, these results indicate that hsBAFF inhibits autophagy promoting cell proliferation and survival through activating Ca²⁺-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in normal and neoplastic B-lymphoid cells. Our findings suggest that manipulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ level or CaMKII, Akt, or mTOR activity to promote autophagy may be exploited for prevention of excessive BAFF-induced aggressive B lymphocyte disorders and autoimmune diseases.     

Modulation of autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways during ultra-endurance running

In this study, the coordinated activation of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP), autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP), and mitochondrial remodeling including mitophagy was assessed by measuring protein markers during ultra-endurance running exercise in human skeletal muscle. Eleven male, experienced ultra-endurance athletes ran for 24 h on a treadmill. Muscle biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle 2 h before starting and immediately after finishing exercise. Athletes ran 149.8 ± 16.3 km with an effective running time of 18 h 42 min ( ± 41 min). The phosphorylation state of Akt (-74 ± 5%; P < 0.001), FOXO3a (-49 ± 9%; P < 0.001), mTOR Ser2448 (-32 ± 14%; P = 0.028), and 4E-BP1 (-34 ± 7%; P < 0.001) was decreased, whereas AMPK phosphorylation state increased by 247 ± 170% (P = 0.042). Proteasome β2 subunit activity increased by 95 ± 44% (P = 0.028), whereas the activities associated with the β1 and β5 subunits remained unchanged. MuRF1 protein level increased by 55 ± 26% (P = 0.034), whereas MAFbx protein and ubiquitin-conjugated protein levels did not change. LC3bII increased by 554 ± 256% (P = 0.005), and the form of ATG12 conjugated to ATG5 increased by 36 ± 17% (P = 0.042). The mitochondrial fission marker phospho-DRP1 increased by 110 ± 47% (P = 0.003), whereas the fusion marker Mfn1 and the mitophagy markers Parkin and PINK1 remained unchanged. These results fit well with a coordinated regulation of ALP and UPP triggered by FOXO3 and AMPK during ultra-endurance exercise.     

Raloxifene Induces Autophagy-Dependent Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells via the Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that binds to the estrogen receptor (ER), and exhibits potent anti-tumor and autophagy-inducing effects in breast cancer cells. However, the mechanism of raloxifene-induced cell death and autophagy is not well-established. So, we analyzed mechanism underlying death and autophagy induced by raloxifene in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.Treatment with raloxifene significantly induced death in MCF-7 cells. Raloxifene accumulated GFP-LC3 puncta and increased the level of autophagic marker proteins, such as LC3-II, BECN1, and ATG12-ATG5 conjugates, indicating activated autophagy. Raloxifene also increased autophagic flux indicators, the cleavage of GFP from GFP-LC3 and only red fluorescence-positive puncta in mRFP-GFP-LC3-expressing cells. An autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), suppressed the level of LC3-II and blocked the formation of GFP-LC3 puncta. Moreover, siRNA targeting BECN1 markedly reversed cell death and the level of LC3-II increased by raloxifene. Besides, raloxifene-induced cell death was not related to cleavage of caspases-7, -9, and PARP. These results indicate that raloxifene activates autophagy-dependent cell death but not apoptosis. Interestingly, raloxifene decreased the level of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and activated the AMPK/ULK1 pathway. However it was not suppressed the AKT/mTOR pathway. Addition of ATP decreased the phosphorylation of AMPK as well as the accumulation of LC3-II, finally attenuating raloxifene-induced cell death.Our current study demonstrates that raloxifene induces autophagy via the activation of AMPK by sensing decreases in ATP, and that the overactivation of autophagy promotes cell death and thereby mediates the anti-cancer effects of raloxifene in breast cancer cells.     

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.     

Exercise increases TBC1D1 phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle

Exercise and weight loss are cornerstones in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes, and both interventions function to increase insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake into skeletal muscle. Studies in rodents demonstrate that the underlying mechanism for glucose uptake in muscle involves site-specific phosphorylation of the Rab-GTPase-activating proteins AS160 (TBC1D4) and TBC1D1. Multiple kinases, including Akt and AMPK, phosphorylate TBC1D1 and AS160 on distinct residues, regulating their activity and allowing for GLUT4 translocation. In contrast to extensive rodent-based studies, the regulation of AS160 and TBC1D1 in human skeletal muscle is not well understood. In this study, we determined the effects of dietary intervention and a single bout of exercise on TBC1D1 and AS160 site-specific phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle. Ten obese (BMI 33.4 ± 2.4, M-value 4.3 ± 0.5) subjects were studied at baseline and after a 2-wk dietary intervention. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the subjects in the resting (basal) state and immediately following a 30-min exercise bout (70% Vo(2 max)). Muscle lysates were analyzed for AMPK activity and Akt phosphorylation and for TBC1D1 and AS160 phosphorylation on known or putative AMPK and Akt sites as follows: AS160 Ser(711) (AMPK), TBC1D1 Ser(231) (AMPK), TBC1D1 Ser(660) (AMPK), TBC1D1 Ser(700) (AMPK), and TBC1D1 Thr(590) (Akt). The diet intervention that consisted of a major shift in the macronutrient composition resulted in a 4.2 ± 0.4 kg weight loss (P < 0.001) and a significant increase in insulin sensitivity (M value 5.6 ± 0.6), but surprisingly, there was no effect on expression or phosphorylation of any of the muscle-signaling proteins. Exercise increased muscle AMPKα2 activity but did not increase Akt phosphorylation. Exercise increased phosphorylation on AS160 Ser(711), TBC1D1 Ser(231), and TBC1D1 Ser(660) but had no effect on TBC1D1 Ser(700). Exercise did not increase TBC1D1 Thr(590) phosphorylation or TBC1D1/AS160 PAS phosphorylation, consistent with the lack of Akt activation. These data demonstrate that a single bout of exercise regulates TBC1D1 and AS160 phosphorylation on multiple sites in human skeletal muscle.     

Divergent cell signaling after short-term intensified endurance training in human skeletal muscle

Endurance training represents one extreme in the continuum of skeletal muscle plasticity. The molecular signals elicited in response to acute and chronic exercise and the integration of multiple intracellular pathways are incompletely understood. We determined the effect of 10 days of intensified cycle training on signal transduction in nine inactive males in response to a 1-h acute bout of cycling at the same absolute workload (164 +/- 9 W). Muscle biopsies were taken at rest and immediately and 3 h after the acute exercise. The metabolic signaling pathways, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), demonstrated divergent regulation by exercise after training. AMPK phosphorylation increased in response to exercise ( approximately 16-fold; P < 0.05), which was abrogated posttraining (P < 0.01). In contrast, mTOR phosphorylation increased in response to exercise ( approximately 2-fold; P < 0.01), which was augmented posttraining (P < 0.01) in the presence of increased mTOR expression (P < 0.05). Exercise elicited divergent effects on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways after training, with exercise-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation being abolished (P < 0.01) and p38 MAPK maintained. Finally, calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) exercise-induced phosphorylation and activity were maintained (P < 0.01), despite increased expression ( approximately 2-fold; P < 0.05). In conclusion, 10 days of intensified endurance training attenuated AMPK, ERK1/2, and mTOR, but not CaMKII and p38 MAPK signaling, highlighting molecular pathways important for rapid functional adaptations and maintenance in response to intensified endurance exercise and training.     

The neurosteroids, allopregnanolone and progesterone, induce autophagy in cultured astrocytes

Recent studies have suggested that neurosteroids such as pregnenolone, progesterone (PG) and their derivatives, have a role in activating autophagy in addition to diverse other functions. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that cellular free Zn(2+) is involved in oxidative stress-induced autophagy and autophagic cell death in astrocytes. In the present study, we examined the possibility that neurosteroids, allopregnanolone (Allo) and PG, also activate autophagy in cultured mouse astrocytes through modulation of intracellular Zn(2+). Exposure of astrocytes to 250 nM Allo or 500 nM PG caused cytosolic vacuoles to appear within a few hours of treatment onset. Live-cell confocal microscopy of astrocytes transfected with red fluorescent protein-conjugated LC3 (RFP-LC3), a marker for autophagic vacuoles (AVs), as well as transmission electron microscopy, revealed that these vacuoles were AVs. In addition, Western blots showed increases in LC3-II levels. Interestingly, mTOR and Akt were concurrently activated, and their blockade further increased LC3-II levels and caused some cell death. These results indicate that co-activation of mTOR and Akt may act to limit neurosteroid-induced autophagy and thus inhibit autophagic cell death. As in other cases of autophagy, cellular Zn(2+) levels increased after treatment with neurosteroids. The neurosteroid-induced increase in LC3-II levels was inhibited by addition of the Zn(2+) chelator TPEN. Both the increase in LC3-II levels and activation of Akt and mTOR by neurosteroids were all mediated by PG receptors, as the effects were blocked by the addition of RU-486, a PG receptor antagonist. Moreover, mutant huntingtin (mHtt) aggregates in GFP-mHttQ74-transfected astrocytes were substantially reduced by neurosteroid treatment, indicating that neurosteroid-induced autophagy may be functional. Present results demonstrate that Allo and PG activate autophagy in astrocytes. Notably, unlike several other autophagy inducers that, in excess, may cause autophagic cell death, Allo and PG are relatively non-toxic, possibly because of concurrent Akt and mTOR activation. Thus, as natural endogenous brain substances, Allo and PG may have a potential as therapeutic agents in neurodegenerative conditions in which abnormal protein aggregates are involved.     

AMP-dependent kinase and autophagic flux are involved in aldehyde dehydrogenase-2-induced protection against cardiac toxicity of ethanol

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) alleviates ethanol toxicity although the precise mechanism is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of ALDH2 on ethanol-induced myocardial damage with a focus on autophagy. Wild-type FVB and transgenic mice overexpressing ALDH2 were challenged with ethanol (3 g/kg/day, ip) for 3 days and cardiac mechanical function was assessed using the echocardiographic and IonOptix systems. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate essential autophagy markers, Akt and AMPK, and the downstream signal mTOR. Ethanol challenge altered cardiac geometry and function as evidenced by enlarged ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameters, decreased cell shortening and intracellular Ca²⁺ rise, prolonged relengthening and intracellular Ca²⁺ decay, as well as reduced SERCA Ca²⁺ uptake, which effects were mitigated by ALDH2. Ethanol challenge facilitated myocardial autophagy as evidenced by enhanced expression of Beclin, ATG7, and LC3B II, as well as mTOR dephosphorylation, which was alleviated by ALDH2. Ethanol challenge-induced cardiac defect and apoptosis were reversed by the ALDH2 agonist Alda-1, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, and the AMPK inhibitor compound C, whereas the autophagy inducer rapamycin and the AMPK activator AICAR mimicked or exacerbated ethanol-induced cell injury. Ethanol promoted or suppressed phosphorylation of AMPK and Akt, respectively, in FVB but not ALDH2 murine hearts. Moreover, AICAR nullified Alda-1-induced protection against ethanol-triggered autophagic and functional changes. Ethanol increased GFP-LC3 puncta in H9c2 cells, the effect of which was ablated by Alda-1 and 3-MA. Lysosomal inhibition using bafilomycin A1, E64D, and pepstatin A obliterated Alda-1- but not ethanol-induced responses in GFP-LC3 puncta. Our results suggest that ALDH2 protects against ethanol toxicity through altered Akt and AMPK signaling and regulation of autophagic flux.     

Extracellular nucleotides inhibit insulin receptor signaling, stimulate autophagy and control lipoprotein secretion

Hyperglycemia is associated with abnormal plasma lipoprotein metabolism and with an elevation in circulating nucleotide levels. We evaluated how extracellular nucleotides may act to perturb hepatic lipoprotein secretion. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (>10 μM) acts like a proteasomal inhibitor to stimulate apoB100 secretion and inhibit apoA-I secretion from human liver cells at 4 h and 24 h. ADP blocks apoA-I secretion by stimulating autophagy. The nucleotide increases cellular levels of the autophagosome marker, LC3-II, and increases co-localization of LC3 with apoA-I in punctate autophagosomes. ADP affects autophagy and apoA-I secretion through P2Y(13). Overexpression of P2Y(13) increases cellular LC3-II levels by ~50% and blocks induction of apoA-I secretion. Conversely, a siRNA-induced reduction in P2Y(13) protein expression of 50% causes a similar reduction in cellular LC3-II levels and a 3-fold stimulation in apoA-I secretion. P2Y(13) gene silencing blocks the effects of ADP on autophagy and apoA-I secretion. A reduction in P2Y(13) expression suppresses ERK1/2 phosphorylation, increases the phosphorylation of IR-β and protein kinase B (Akt) >3-fold, and blocks the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation by TNFα and ADP. Conversely, increasing P2Y(13) expression significantly inhibits insulin-induced phosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR-β) and Akt, similar to that observed after treatment with ADP. Nucleotides therefore act through P2Y(13), ERK1/2 and insulin receptor signaling to stimulate autophagy and affect hepatic lipoprotein secretion.     

MDMA induces cardiac contractile dysfunction through autophagy upregulation and lysosome destabilization in rats

The underlying mechanisms of cardiotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) abuse are unclear. Autophagy exerts either adaptive or maladaptive effects on cardiac function in various pathological settings, but nothing is known on the role of autophagy in the MDMA cardiotoxicity. Here, we investigated the mechanism through which autophagy may be involved in MDMA-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with MDMA (20 mg/kg) or saline. Left ventricular (LV) echocardiography and LV pressure measurement demonstrated reduction of LV systolic contractility 24 h after MDMA administration. Western blot analysis showed a time-dependent increase in the levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and cathepsin-D after MDMA administration. Electron microscopy showed the presence of autophagic vacuoles in cardiomyocytes. MDMA upregulated phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at Thr172, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) at Thr2446, Raptor at Ser792, and Unc51-like kinase (ULK1) at Ser555, suggesting activation of autophagy through the AMPK-mTOR pathway. The effects of autophagic inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and chloroquine (CQ) on LC3-II levels indicated that MDMA enhanced autophagosome formation, but attenuated autophagosome clearance. MDMA also induced release of cathepsins into cytosol, and western blotting and electron microscopy showed cardiac troponin I (cTnI) degradation and myofibril damage, respectively. 3-MA, CQ, and a lysosomal inhibitor, E64c, inhibited cTnI proteolysis and improved contractile dysfunction after MDMA administration. In conclusion, MDMA causes lysosome destabilization following activation of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, through which released lysosomal proteases damage myofibrils and induce LV systolic dysfunction in rat heart.     

Molecular characterization of skeletal muscle atrophy in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutant huntingtin, is characterized by a catabolic phenotype. To determine the mechanisms underlying muscle wasting, we examined key signal transduction pathways governing muscle protein metabolism, apoptosis, and autophagy in R6/2 mice, a well-characterized transgenic model of HD. R6/2 mice exhibited increased adiposity, elevated energy expenditure, and decreased body weight and lean mass without altered food intake. Severe skeletal muscle wasting accounted for a majority of the weight loss. Protein synthesis was unexpectedly increased 19% in gastrocnemius muscle, which was associated with overactivation of basal and refeeding-stimulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, elevated Akt expression and Ser(473) phosphorylation, and decreased AMPK Thr(172) phosphorylation. Moreover, mRNA abundance of atrogenes muscle ring finger-1 and atrophy F-box, was markedly attenuated during fasting and refeeding, and the urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine was decreased, arguing against a role for the ubiquitin proteasome-mediated proteolysis in the atrophy. In contrast, mRNA expression of several caspase genes and genes involved in the extrinsic or intrinsic apoptotic pathway, caspase-3/7, -8, and -9 activity, protein abundance of caspase-3 and -9, Fas, and Fadd, and cytochrome c release were elevated. Protein expressions of LC3B-I and -II, beclin-I, and atg5 and -7 in muscle were upregulated. Thus, mutant huntingtin in skeletal muscle results in increased protein synthesis and mTOR signaling, which is countered by activation of the apoptotic and autophagic pathways, contributing to an overall catabolic phenotype and the severe muscle wasting.     

The role of AMPK/mTOR/S6K1 signaling axis in mediating the physiological process of exercise-induced insulin sensitization in skeletal muscle of C57BL/6 mice

The crosstalk between mTORC1/S6K1 signaling and AMPK is emerging as a powerful and highly regulated way to gauge cellular energy and nutrient content. The aim of the current study was to determine the mechanism by which exercise training reverses lipid-induced insulin resistance and the role of AMPK/mTOR/S6K1 signaling axis in mediating this response in skeletal muscle. Our results showed that high-fat feeding resulted in decreased glucose tolerance, which was associated with decreased Akt expression and increased intramuscular triglyceride deposition in the skeletal muscle of C57BL/6 mice. Impairments in lipid metabolism were accompanied by increased total protein and phosphorylation of S6K1, SREBP-1c cleavage, and decreased AMPK phosphorylation. Exercise training reversed these impairments, resulting in improved serum lipid profiles and glucose tolerance. C2C12 myotubes were exposed to palmitate, resulting in an increased insulin-dependent Akt Ser473 phosphorylation, associated with a significant increase in the level of phosphorylation of S6K1 on T389. All these changes were reversed by activation of AMPK. Consistent with this, inhibition of AMPK by compound C induced an enhanced phosphorylation of both S6K1 and Akt, and silencing of S6K1 with siRNA showed no effect on Akt phosphorylation in both the absence and presence of palmitate cultured myotubes. In addition, compound C led to an elevated SREBP-1c cleavage but was blocked by S6K1 siRNA. In summary, exercise training inhibits SREBP-1c cleavage through AMPK/mTOR/S6K1 signaling, resulting in decreased intramyocellular lipid accumulation. Our results provide new insights into the mechanism by which AMPK/mTOR/S6K1 signaling axis mediates the physiological process of exercise-induced insulin sensitization.     

Autophagy-dependent and -independent involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase in 6-hydroxydopamine toxicity to SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

The role of the main intracellular energy sensor adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the induction of autophagic response and cell death was investigated in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells exposed to the dopaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The induction of autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells was demonstrated by acridine orange staining of intracellular acidic vesicles, the presence of autophagosome- and autophagolysosome-like vesicles confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, as well as by microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3 (LC3) conversion and p62 degradation detected by immunoblotting. 6-OHDA induced phosphorylation of AMPK and its target Raptor, followed by the dephosphorylation of the major autophagy inhibitor mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its substrate p70S6 kinase (S6K). 6-OHDA treatment failed to suppress mTOR/S6K phosphorylation and to increase LC3 conversion, p62 degradation and cytoplasmatic acidification in neuroblastoma cells in which AMPK expression was downregulated by RNA interference. Transfection of SH-SY5Y cells with AMPK or LC3β shRNA, as well as treatment with pharmacological autophagy inhibitors suppressed, while mTOR inhibitor rapamycin potentiated 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death. 6-OHDA induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in an AMPK-dependent manner, and pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAP kinase reduced neurotoxicity, but not AMPK activation and autophagy triggered by 6-OHDA. Finally, the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine antagonized 6-OHDA-induced activation of AMPK, p38 and autophagy. These data suggest that oxidative stress-mediated AMPK/mTOR-dependent autophagy and AMPK/p38-dependent apoptosis could be valid therapeutic targets for neuroprotection.     

AMPK activation attenuates S6K1, 4E-BP1, and eEF2 signaling responses to high-frequency electrically stimulated skeletal muscle contractions.

Regulation of protein translation through Akt and the downstream mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is an important component of the cellular response to hypertrophic stimuli. It has been proposed that 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation during muscle contraction may limit the hypertrophic response to resistance-type exercise by inhibiting translational signaling. However, experimental manipulation of AMPK activity during such a stimulus has not been attempted. Therefore, we investigated whether AMPK activation can attenuate the downstream signaling response of the Akt/mTOR pathway to electrically stimulated lengthening muscle contractions. Extensor digitorum longus muscles (n = 8/group) were subjected to a 22-min bout of lengthening contractions by high-frequency sciatic nerve electrical stimulation (STIM) in young adult (8 mo) Fischer 344 x Brown Norway male rats. Forty minutes before electrical stimulation, rats were subcutaneously injected with saline or 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR; 1 mg/g body wt), an AMPK activator. Stimulated and contralateral resting muscles were removed at 0, 20, and 40 min post-STIM, and AMPK, acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), Akt, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP1), 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1), and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) phosphorylations were assessed by Western blot. AICAR treatment increased (P < or = 0.05) post-STIM AMPK (Thr172) and ACC phosphorylation (Ser79/221), inhibited post-STIM S6K1 (Thr389) and 4E-BP1 (gel shift) phosphorylation, and elevated post-STIM eEF2 phosphorylation (Thr56). These findings suggest that translational signaling downstream of Akt/mTOR can be inhibited after lengthening contractions when preceded by AMPK activation and that energetic stress may be antagonistic to the hypertrophic translational signaling response to loaded muscle contractions.     

Carnosic Acid Prevents Beta-Amyloid-Induced Injury in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells via the Induction of Autophagy

Beta-amyloid (Aβ), the hallmark protein in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), induces neurotoxicity that involves oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cell death. Carnosic acid (CA), a polyphenolic diterpene isolated from the herb rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), was investigated in our study to assess its neuroprotective effect and underlying mechanism against Aβ-induced injury in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We found that CA pretreatment alleviated the Aβ_25–35-induced loss of cell viability, inhibited both Aβ_1–42 accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation, reduced reactive oxygen species generation, and maintained the mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, CA increased the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II/I ratio and decreased SQSTM1(p62), indicating that CA could induce autophagy. Autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) attenuated the neuroprotective effect of CA, suggesting that autophagy was involved in the neuroprotection of CA. It was also observed that CA activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) but inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Furthermore, blocking AMPK with si-AMPKα successfully inhibited the upregulation of LC3-II/I, prevented the downregulation of phosphorylation of mTOR and SQSTM1(p62), indicating that CA induced autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells via the activation of AMPK. These results suggested that CA might be a potential agent for preventing AD.