Type of sugar may treat atherosclerosis, mouse study shows
Trehalose boosts autophagy in macrophages, allowing them to reduce atherosclerotic plaque. The study shows promise for treating atherosclerosis and other metabolic conditions.
Autophagy
Articles tagged with Autophagy
Disrupted fat breakdown in the brain makes mice dumb
Researchers blocked S1P breakdown, leading to learning and memory problems in mice. Autophagy pathway also impaired, resulting in accumulation of Alzheimer's proteins in the brains.
Photoreceptor cell death leads to blindness in CLN5 form of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
Researchers found that impaired autophagy and lysosomal degradation lead to photoreceptor cell death in CLN5 deficient mice, mirroring human NCL diseases. The study suggests non-invasive retinal examinations could serve as biomarkers for neurological diseases.
Xiao-Ming Yin, M.D., Ph.D., to receive the 2017 ASIP Outstanding Investigator Award
Dr. Xiao-Ming Yin's pioneering research has significantly impacted our understanding of cellular degradation pathways, leading to novel cancer treatment approaches and potential therapeutic strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Legionella bacteria's escape route revealed
Legionella bacteria uses RavZ to disrupt autophagy machinery, evading host cells. Researchers developed semisynthetic LC3 proteins to study interaction with RavZ, identifying key binding site and mechanism of action.
Scientists describe a function for autophagy in germline stem-cell proliferation
Researchers identified autophagy as a critical process for promoting germline stem cell proliferation, specifically by regulating the cell cycle of progenitor cells. The study also found that autophagy is finely tuned in surrounding tissues to maintain germline homeostasis.
New insights on how pathogens escape the immune system
Researchers discovered that Salmonella typhimurium tricks the immune system into suppressing autophagy by degrading key proteins. This allows the pathogen to survive and evade the immune response. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new therapeutic strategies to enhance or manipulate autophagy in diseases like cancer.
Funding for study which could lead to new drug treatment for dementia diseases
Scientists from Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry are investigating a potential new drug therapy for dementia diseases. They aim to understand how impaired autophagy, or cellular recycling, contributes to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Study reveals PGK1 enzyme as therapeutic target for deadliest brain cancer
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discover PGK1's dual role in regulating cell metabolism and autophagy, a cellular process crucial to tumor development and maintenance. The findings suggest that inhibiting PGK1-regulated autophagy may increase cancer treatment efficacy for glioblastoma patients.
Cardiomyocyte autophagia and morphological alterations
Researchers studied cardiomyocyte autophagia in rabbits with acute focal ischemia. The study found that autophagy increases immediately after ischemia to protect cells, but decreases over time due to energy conservation. This mechanism helps prevent necrotic area expansion and cardiac death.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute identified autophagy as a key process linking mild stress to improved survival and reduced protein aggregation. The study provides new avenues for treatments of neurological disorders such as Huntington's disease.
Collapsed chloroplasts are targeted in self-eating process
Scientists at Tohoku University have discovered a previously unknown type of autophagy that removes damaged chloroplasts in plants, shedding light on the aging process. This finding could lead to new methods for controlling plant aging and enhancing crop yields.
Malaria drug successfully treats 26-year-old brain cancer patient
A new drug combination that adds chloroquine to targeted treatment has stabilized a 26-year-old brain cancer patient's disease, increasing both quality and quantity of life. The treatment was effective in two other brain cancer patients with similar diseases.
Identification of autophagy-dependent secretion machinery
A team of researchers at Osaka University has discovered a novel autophagy-dependent secretory system that facilitates the secretion of inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1 beta and leaderless proteins such as ferritin. This finding opens new therapeutic avenues for diseases related to autophagy.
UTSW identify process cells use to destroy damaged organelles, with links to diseases
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a receptor on the inner mitochondrial membrane plays a crucial role in guiding autophagosomes to damaged mitochondria for destruction. The process, called mitophagy, is essential for cellular health and preventing diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Role for autophagic cellular degradation process in maintaining genomic stability
Researchers found that autophagy degrades Cep63 to regulate centrosome number, preventing genomic instability. Cells deficient in autophagy have extra centrosomes, highlighting the role of autophagy in maintaining genomic stability.
BAG3 protein plays critical role in protecting heart from reperfusion injury, Temple research shows
A new study by Temple researchers shows that the BAG3 protein helps protect the heart from damage caused by reperfusion injury. By increasing BAG3 expression, cells can clear out damaged components and prevent cell death pathways.
Study suggests that autophagy inhibitors could improve efficacy of chemotherapies
Research suggests that inhibiting autophagy can improve chemotherapy's immune-targeting effects without compromising overall immune system function. In mouse models, autophagy inhibitors did not disrupt the immune response to tumors during chemotherapy.
Taking out the cellular 'trash' - at the right place and the right time
Researchers at the University of Vienna have made a groundbreaking discovery on how cells regulate autophagy, a vital process for maintaining cellular balance. The study shows that autophagy is tightly controlled in space and time by two independent coordinators, which enables the activation of autophagy when precise requirements are met.
Consumption from within: How the brain controls our appetite
Scientists from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology have identified a key enzyme in regulating our appetite, revealing how low glucose levels activate AMPK to control food intake. This breakthrough provides new insights into the complex mechanisms governing our eating behavior.
CNIO scientists have discovered a specific molecular biomarker for malignant melanoma
Researchers have identified the ATG5 protein as a key regulator of metastatic capacity in melanomas. The study found that patients with partial loss of the ATG5 gene have a worse prognosis, developing metastasis and resistance to drugs.
Critical protein shows promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's
Researchers have identified a critical protein associated with Alzheimer's disease symptoms, suggesting a new target for therapy. The study shows that increasing p62 levels may reverse the effects of damaging plaques in the brain through autophagy.
Autophagy under the microscope as never before
Scientists have dissected the autophagy process in unprecedented molecular detail using live imaging and super resolution microscopy. The study reveals how the first autophagy structure forms and clarifies protein and membrane associations leading to its development into a fully-fledged autophagosome.
Heart bypass without surgery? -- AGGF1 induces therapeutic angiogenesis through autophagy
Researchers have found that AGGF1 promotes therapeutic angiogenesis through autophagy, increasing the number of mice that survive after acute heart attacks. Treatment with AGGF1 also improves cardiac functions and reduces scarring in the heart.
Next steps towards preventing cancer and Alzheimer's
A new generation of drugs that prevent cancer and Alzheimer's are in development thanks to research from the University of Warwick. The university has identified over 700 previously undiscovered proteins related to autophagy, a cellular process that declines with age.
Big trash pickup
Cells have two disposal systems: proteasomes, which handle smaller proteins, and autophagy, a process that removes larger complexes. Researchers discovered a smart bin liner-like system in autophagy, involving Cue5 receptors and Hsp42 chaperones.
Autophagy: Cellular waste recycling systems converge into a single process
A recent study from the Neuromed Institute reveals that two previously separate processes converge into a single cell component, the autophagoproteasome. This discovery provides a new understanding of autophagy, a critical mechanism for cellular renewal and waste removal.
SourceIstituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed I.R.C.C.S.·JournalFrontiers in Neuroanatomy·DateJul 21, 2016
By causing cells to cannibalize themselves, researchers prevent lung injury in mice
By inducing autophagy, researchers at Drexel University and Yale University decreased lung injury in mice exposed to high oxygen levels, offering a potential solution for preventing chronic lung conditions like Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants.
SourceDrexel University·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateJul 18, 2016
Dietary restriction increases lifespan through effects on the gut
Research from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute shows that cell recycling in the intestine is crucial for healthy aging, leading to longer lifespans.
Mechanism of autophagy initiation has just been revealed
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have discovered the molecular mechanism behind autophagy initiation, revealing that Atg13 forms a supramolecular complex with other proteins. This breakthrough may lead to the development of therapeutic treatments for diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer.
Dab2 regulates autophagy: New insights into mechanisms of chemo-resistance and metastasis
Researchers at MUSC discovered that Dab2 is a molecular switch regulating autophagy or apoptosis in tumor cells. Maintaining Dab2 levels blocks autophagy and promotes cell death, enhancing chemotherapeutic agent efficacy. In vivo studies showed Dab2 reduces tumor metastasis and increases drug-induced cell death.
Strengthening immune defense may be solution for treating tuberculosis
Researchers at Linköping University have discovered that stimulating autophagy can be harmful when trying to treat tuberculosis, highlighting the need for new treatment alternatives. Strengthening immune defense cells like macrophages and dendritic cells may hold promise in controlling tubercule bacilli.
The absence of a single protein spurs muscle aging in mice
A study at IRB Barcelona discovered that Mitofusin 2 is required to preserve healthy muscles in mice, with its loss associated with muscle wastage and sarcopenia. The protein could serve as a therapeutic target to ameliorate sarcopenia in the elderly.
SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJun 22, 2016
Scientists work to protect the kidneys from powerful cancer drug
Researchers aim to develop strategies to protect the kidneys from permanent damage caused by cisplatin, a common chemotherapy agent used to treat various cancers. They investigate two pathways: p53 and PKCδ, which contribute to kidney cell death during treatment.
Stopping cancer in its tracks
Researchers at the University of Chicago found that inhibiting autophagy, a cellular housekeeping process, effectively blocks tumor cell migration and breast cancer metastasis in tumor models. Autophagy is essential for tumor metastasis, and its inhibition can be an effective approach to block metastatic dissemination.
Defects in the body's cell disposal system may contribute to the most common form of lupus
Researchers found that defects in LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) may contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of lupus. LAP ensures proper digestion and disposal of dead cells, which was found to be impaired in SLE-prone mice.
WSU searches for drugs to fight ALS, Alzheimer's, other brain disorders
Researchers at Washington State University are investigating new drugs to treat neurological disorders related to autophagic dysfunction. The goal is to selectively activate autophagy, recruiting 'housekeepers' to the brain and potentially regenerating the system.
Autophagy -- a review of techniques
The Autophagy Regulatory Network database provides integrated and systems-level source for autophagy research, containing data on over 14,000 proteins. The new edition of the guidelines offers recommendations for best practices in autophagy monitoring, measurement, and diagnosis.
Breaking the brain's garbage disposal: Study shows even a small problem causes big effects
Researchers discovered a rare genetic mutation in Turkish children with ataxia, which caused a significant impact on the brain's autophagy process. This finding has important implications for understanding and treating neurological disorders, such as ataxia and developmental delays.
New evidence in mice that cocaine makes brain cells cannibalize themselves
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that cocaine triggers autophagy, a process that causes brain cells to digest themselves. A compound called CGP3466B has been shown to prevent this damage in mouse nerve cells.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2016
Better understanding of cell renewal and cellular quality control
The newly established Collaborative Research Centre on selective autophagy aims to improve therapy for diverse diseases by targeting autophagy at the molecular and cellular level. Researchers will study autophagy in complex organisms, including humans, to understand its role in pathophysiology and develop new therapies.
Back from the 'dead': QUT scientists unlock secrets of Aussie 'resurrection' grass
QUT scientists uncover the secrets of Aussie 'resurrection' grass, a native species that can survive droughts by selectively culling its own cells. The research reveals sugar manipulation and autophagy as key survival mechanisms, potentially leading to the development of stress-tolerant crops like chickpea.
Research yields potential treatment approach for glycogen storage disease
Researchers have found a potential treatment strategy for glycogen storage disease Ia by inducing autophagy in liver cells, which reduces fat and glycogen levels. A drug called rapamycin stimulates autophagy and improves liver size and function in animal models.
Autophagy works in cell nucleus to guard against start of cancer
Autophagy has been shown to work in the cell nucleus, playing a role in guarding against the start of cancer. By degrading unwanted cellular bits and pieces, autophagy helps prevent cancerous growth, but its improper activation during normal aging leads to premature aging and age-related diseases.
Key control mechanism of cellular deterioration identified
Researchers have identified GATA4 as a key transcription factor that activates cellular senescence. This process is characterized by a pro-inflammatory response and the production of secreted inflammatory cytokines. The study reveals that GATA4 is normally suppressed by autophagy, but its accumulation promotes senescence.
Van Andel Research Institute, Los Alamos National Laboratory to develop lung cancer model
A multidisciplinary team is designing a mathematical model for autophagy in lung cancer to develop novel cancer treatment strategies. The model will be used to systematically evaluate therapeutic strategies and identify the most promising ones, which can then be evaluated experimentally.
Inducing metabolic catastrophe in cancer cells
Cancer cells can be made vulnerable to autophagy shutdown by combining an FLT3 inhibitor with an autophagy blocker. This combination prevents cancer cells from metabolizing glucose and mobilizing stored nutrients, leading to cell death. The study provides evidence that this approach could be a new way to treat various types of cancer.
PINK1 protein crucial for removing broken-down energy reactors
Scientists at the NIH discovered that PINK1 triggers an intricate process called mitophagy, which breaks down and removes damaged mitochondria from cells. This discovery suggests a new avenue for treating diseases like ALS and Parkinson's by boosting the disposal of damaged mitochondria.
Schwann cells 'dine in' to clear myelin from injured nerves
Researchers discovered that Schwann cells digest damaged myelin internally through autophagy, clearing 40-50% of the myelin within 5-7 days. This mechanism enables significant nerve repair in the peripheral nervous system, contrasting with the CNS where oligodendrocytes fail to clear myelin.
When inflammation occurs, kidneys work to protect themselves, researchers find
Inflamed kidney cells produce an enzyme that consumes tryptophan, activating a stress response and inducing autophagy to clear damaged protein. The IDO-GCN2 pathway provides natural protection against inflammation-induced kidney damage, offering new potential treatment targets.
SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJun 23, 2015
Protein 'comet tails' propel cell recycling process
Researchers discovered that actin polymerization powered by the Arp2/3 complex is essential for forming and moving autophagosomes. The formation of 'actin comet tails' propels these compartments toward lysosomes for final processing, enabling cells to recycle misfolded proteins and damaged organelles.
Controller in the cell
Researchers identify a new autophagy receptor, FAM134B, which ensures proper breakdown and disposal of dysfunctional endoplasmic reticulum. Mutations in FAM134B cause rare hereditary disease HSAN II, highlighting the importance of autophagy in cellular quality control.
Joslin research discovery provides insight into development of autoimmunity
Researchers have identified the Clec16a gene as a regulator of T cell education, which is central to the development of autoimmunity. The study shows that turning off the gene protects mice from developing diabetes, suggesting its role in preventing autoimmune diseases.
A glitch in the recycling
A recent study by Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind Parkinson's disease. The researchers discovered that disruption of a developmental mechanism, Lmx1b, leads to the death of dopamine-producing neurons, resulting in the symptoms of PD.
Fighting tuberculosis using the body's natural anti-microbial processes
A new approach to combating tuberculosis aims to harness the body's natural anti-microbial process, autophagy, to target Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Autophagy is being researched for its potential role in various diseases, including heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
Nerve cells borrow a trick from their synapses to dispose of garbage
Scientists have discovered a new role for voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in neurons, which play a critical role in cellular 'garbage disposal' processes. VGCCs are found not only on the synaptic membrane but also in lysosomes, where they facilitate lysosomal fusion and autophagy.
Calcium channels play a role in neuronal homeostasis and elimination of toxic buildup of proteins
Mutations in calcium channel genes disrupt autophagy in neurons, leading to neurodegeneration. Calcium channels play a key role in regulating autophagic vesicle fusion with lysosomes, maintaining neuronal homeostasis.
Combining the old and new to kill cancer cells
A team of Singapore-based scientists identified a new signalling pathway regulating cancer internal diet. The therapy combines an old anti-malarial drug with CK1α inhibition, effectively treating colon and bladder cancers. Researchers hope to develop more potent inhibitors for this treatment.
Mainz researchers identify novel factor involved in autophagy
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz identified RAB3GAP complex as a key factor in autophagy, a process that breaks down cellular proteins and organelles. This discovery may enable innovative approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
TSRI scientists find new cellular pathway defect in cystinosis
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have identified a new cellular pathway affected in cystinosis, which could lead to new drug treatments for reducing or preventing renal failure. The study found that concentrations of LAMP2A, a lysosomal surface protein, were down by 50-80% in cystinotic cells.