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Related Concept Videos

Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

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Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
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Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

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Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
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Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

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Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
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Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
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Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

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Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
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mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

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The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
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Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

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Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
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Related Experiment Videos

Autophagy in cancer.

Xiaoyong Zhi1, Qing Zhong2

  • 1Center for Autophagy Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas 75390 USA.

F1000Prime Reports
|March 10, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Autophagy, a cellular process, plays a dual role in cancer. It can suppress tumors but also helps established cancers survive, making its inhibition a potential therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Autophagy is a fundamental cellular degradation process involving autophagosomes and lysosomes.
  • Its role in cancer is complex and debated, presenting a significant area of research.
  • Understanding autophagy is crucial for developing novel cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent advancements in understanding autophagy's role in tumorigenesis.
  • To review the implications of autophagy in the context of cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on autophagy and cancer.
  • Synthesis of findings on the dual role of autophagy in tumor development.
  • Analysis of autophagy's impact on cancer progression and therapeutic strategies.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Autophagy acts as a tumor suppressor by clearing damaged cellular components.
  • Conversely, established tumors utilize autophagy as a survival mechanism.
  • Inhibition of autophagy can impede tumor progression.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy exhibits a paradoxical role in cancer, acting as both a suppressor and a facilitator.
  • Targeting autophagy presents a promising, yet complex, strategy for cancer therapy.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate and exploit autophagy's therapeutic potential.