Autophagy Is Activated for Cell Survival after Endoplasmic ReticulumStress

Eukaryotic cells deal with accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the unfolded protein response, involving the induction of molecular chaperones, translational attenuation, and ER-associated degradation, to prevent cell death. Here, we found that the autophagy system is activated as a novel signaling pathway in response to ER stress. Treatment of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells with ER stressors markedly induced the formation of autophagosomes, which were recognized at the ultrastructural level. The formation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3-labeled structures (GFP-LC3 "dots"), representing autophagosomes, was extensively induced in cells exposed to ER stress with conversion…

• NF
  Novartis Foundation
• MS
  Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Welfare Foundation
• NF
  NOVARTIS Foundation (Japan) for the Promotion of Science
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  Award: 17200026