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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

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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.
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Autophagic Cell Death01:18

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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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mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

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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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Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

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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.
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Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

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Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Exploring the Regulation of Lipid Droplet Catabolism through Lipophagy
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Autophagy and Tumorigenesis.

Wenting Liu1, Yan Meng1, Chen Zong1

  • 1Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|July 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Autophagy, a cellular process, plays a complex role in cancer development. It can both suppress tumors by causing cell death and promote cancer by aiding tumor cell survival.

Keywords:
AutophagyTumorigenesisTumour cell deathTumour cell survival

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Mechanisms

Background:

  • Tumorigenesis involves genetic and epigenetic alterations in normal cells due to various stresses.
  • The tumor microenvironment and intrinsic cellular mechanisms are critical in cancer development.
  • Understanding these processes is vital for cancer prevention and managing recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted role of autophagy in tumorigenesis.
  • To investigate the dual functions of autophagy in cancer suppression and promotion.
  • To explore how autophagy's role varies with tumor stage and type.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on autophagy and cancer.
  • Analysis of studies investigating autophagy's impact on tumor cell apoptosis and survival.
  • Examination of evidence linking autophagy to specific tumor developmental stages and types.

Main Results:

  • Autophagy exhibits a dual role in tumorigenesis, acting as both a tumor suppressor and a promoter.
  • Excessive autophagy can induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in drug-resistant tumor cells.
  • Conversely, autophagy can facilitate tumor cell survival and escape mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • The specific function of autophagy in cancer is context-dependent, varying with tumor stage and histological type.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand and potentially target autophagy in cancer therapy.
  • Autophagy modulation presents a potential strategy for cancer treatment, requiring tailored approaches.