Curbing autophagy and histone deacetylases to kill cancer cells

Noor Gammoh, Paul A Marks, Xuejun Jiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cells respond to cytotoxicity by activating a variety of signal transduction pathways. One pathway frequently upregulated during cytotoxic response is macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy). Previously, we demonstrated that pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, such as the anticancer agent suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, Vorinostat), can induce autophagy. In this study, we show that HDAC inhibition triggers autophagy by suppressing MTOR and activating the autophagic kinase ULK1. Furthermore, autophagy inhibition can sensitize cells to both apoptotic and nonapoptotic cell death induced by SAHA, suggesting the therapeutic potential of autophagy targeting in combination with SAHA therapy. This study also raised a series of questions: What is the role of HDACs in regulating autophagy? Do individual HDACs have distinct functions in autophagy? How do HDACs regulate the nutrient-sensing kinase MTOR? Since SAHA-induced nonapoptotic cell death is not driven by autophagy, what then is the mechanism underlying the apoptosis-independent death? Tackling these questions should lead to a better understanding of autophagy and HDAC biology and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1521-2
Number of pages2
JournalAutophagy
Volume8
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Animals
  • Autophagy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms
  • RNA Interference
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Curbing autophagy and histone deacetylases to kill cancer cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this