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3,3'-Diindolylmethane induces apoptosis and autophagy in fission yeast

Parvaneh Emami1, Masaru Ueno1

  • 1Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan.

Plos One
|December 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a compound from broccoli, induces cell death and autophagy in fission yeast. DIM

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • 3,3 '-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables.
  • DIM has shown potential in inducing apoptosis and autophagy in human cancer cells.
  • Its lifespan-extending effects in fission yeast suggest conserved biological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms by which DIM induces apoptosis and autophagy in fission yeast.
  • To explore the role of nuclear envelope integrity and autophagy in cellular response to DIM.

Main Methods:

  • Dose-dependent treatment of log-phase fission yeast with DIM.
  • Analysis of nuclear envelope structure and chromosome condensation.
  • Assessment of autophagy induction and sensitivity in wild-type and mutant yeast strains (lem2 and autophagy-defective mutants).

Main Results:

  • DIM induced apoptosis and autophagy in a dose-dependent manner in fission yeast.
  • High DIM concentrations disrupted nuclear envelope structure and induced chromosome condensation.
  • Low DIM concentrations induced autophagy, and autophagy-defective mutants showed increased sensitivity.
  • The lem2 mutant exhibited increased sensitivity to DIM, with nuclear envelope disruption even at low concentrations.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy and nuclear envelope integrity are crucial for maintaining cell viability under low DIM concentrations.
  • The findings suggest conserved mechanisms of DIM action in fission yeast and humans.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the pathways of DIM-induced apoptosis and autophagy.

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