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Dissecting the Role of Autophagy-Related Proteins in Cancer Metabolism and Plasticity

Liliana Torres-López1, Oxana Dobrovinskaya1

  • 1Laboratory of Immunology and Ionic Transport Regulation, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Colima, Av. 25 de Julio #965, Villas de San Sebastián, Colima 28045, Mexico.

Cells
|October 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy modulation impacts cancer cell metabolism, often enhancing the Warburg effect when inhibited. Targeting both autophagy and metabolic pathways offers a promising dual anticancer strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolic Research

Background:

  • Autophagy modulation is a studied anticancer strategy.
  • Metabolic changes during autophagy modulation in cancer cells are under-explored.
  • Autophagy-related (ATGs) genes and proteins link to cancer progression and plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between autophagy-related genes and cancer cell metabolism.
  • To highlight metabolic shifts, such as the Warburg effect, upon autophagy inhibition or induction.
  • To critically evaluate dual pharmacological strategies targeting both autophagy and metabolic pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of autophagy-related genes (ATGs).
  • Analysis of metabolic alterations in cancer cells with modulated autophagy.
  • Review of current pharmacological strategies for dual inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Deregulation of ATGs significantly affects cancer cell metabolism.
  • Inhibition of autophagy frequently enhances the Warburg effect in cancer cells.
  • Metabolic changes are cancer-type dependent and crucial for cancer cell survival post-autophagy modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic reprogramming is a key consequence of autophagy modulation in cancer.
  • Targeting cancer cell metabolism alongside autophagy presents a viable therapeutic approach.
  • Further research into dual inhibition strategies is warranted for effective cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Warburg effectaerobic glycolysisautophagyautophagy-related (ATGs) genes/proteinscancer cell metabolismcancer plasticityfatty acid oxidation (FAO)tumor microenvironment

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