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Published on: June 30, 2023
Cyclin D1 Restrains Oncogene-Induced Autophagy by Regulating the AMPK-LKB1 Signaling Axis
Mathew C Casimiro1,2, Gabriele Di Sante1,2, Agnese Di Rocco1,2
1Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center (PCARM), Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
Autophagy activated after DNA damage or other stresses mitigates cellular damage by removing damaged proteins, lipids, and organelles. Activation of the master metabolic kinase AMPK enhances autophagy. Here we report that cyclin D1 restrains autophagy by modulating the activation of AMPK. In cell models of human breast cancer or in a cyclin D1-deficient model, we observed a cyclin D1-mediated reduction in AMPK activation. Mechanistic investigations showed that cyclin D1 inhibited mitochondrial function, promoted glycolysis, and reduced activation of AMPK (pT172), possibly through a mechanism that involves cyclin D1-Cdk4/Cdk6 phosphorylation of LKB1. Our findings suggest how AMPK activation by cyclin D1 may couple cell proliferation to energy homeostasis. Cancer Res; 77(13); 3391-405. ©2017 AACR.
Insights
Cyclin D1 hinders autophagy, a cellular repair process, by reducing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. This finding reveals a link between cell growth and energy balance in cancer.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Cancer research
- Metabolism
Background:
- Autophagy removes damaged cellular components, mitigating stress and damage.
- AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation enhances autophagy.
- Cyclin D1 is implicated in cell proliferation and cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cyclin D1 in regulating autophagy.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which cyclin D1 affects AMPK activation.
- To understand how cyclin D1 influences the coupling of cell proliferation and energy homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cell models of human breast cancer.
- Employed a cyclin D1-deficient model.
- Performed mechanistic investigations into cyclin D1's effects on mitochondrial function, glycolysis, and AMPK activation (pT172).
Main Results:
- Observed a cyclin D1-mediated reduction in AMPK activation in cancer cell models.
- Demonstrated that cyclin D1 inhibits mitochondrial function and promotes glycolysis.
- Identified a potential mechanism involving cyclin D1-Cdk4/Cdk6 phosphorylation of LKB1.
Conclusions:
- Cyclin D1 restrains autophagy by modulating AMPK activation.
- Cyclin D1's effects on cellular metabolism and AMPK may link cell proliferation to energy homeostasis.
- Findings provide insights into the interplay between cell cycle regulators and metabolic pathways in cancer.
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