Defective autophagy leads to cancer.
Cellular proteins are degraded within two distinct compartments: the proteasome and the lysosome. Alterations in proteasomal degradation can contribute to carcinogenesis. In contrast, alterations in autophagic protein degradation through the lysosome have not been linked to cancer. Now two reports demonstrate that the autophagic gene, Beclin 1, is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor gene. These new data suggest that autophagic degradation provides an important mechanism to prevent cellular transformation.
Edinger
Aimee L
AL
Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Thompson
Craig B
CB
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D000071186:Beclin-1; D002455:Cell Division; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D011489:Protein Denaturation / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C491997:BECN1 protein, human; D000071186:Beclin-1; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D011506:Proteins; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex