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Ras inhibition enhances autophagy, which partially protects cells from death

Eran Schmukler1, Efrat Grinboim, Sari Schokoroy

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel.

Oncotarget
|February 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Ras inhibition by Salirasib (FTS) induces autophagy, a cellular process. This autophagy appears to protect cancer cells from FTS-induced death, suggesting autophagy inhibition could enhance anti-tumor effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Autophagy is crucial for cell growth but can be dysfunctional in diseases.
  • The Ras/PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibits autophagy and is implicated in many cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of the Ras inhibitor Salirasib (FTS) on autophagy induction and cancer cell viability.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro study using mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human cancer cell lines (HeLa, HCT-116, DLD-1).
  • Treatment with Salirasib (FTS) to inhibit Ras signaling.

Main Results:

  • Salirasib (FTS) treatment induced autophagy in tested cell lines.
  • Autophagy inhibited FTS-mediated cell death; its absence enhanced cell death.

Conclusions:

  • Ras inhibition by FTS induces autophagy.
  • Inhibiting autophagy may enhance tumor cell growth inhibition and FTS-mediated cell death.

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