-Promoting cell survival: Autophagosome accumulation can provide cancer cells with a means to survive under stressful conditions, such as nutrient deprivation or hypoxia.
-Inducing cell death: Autophagosome accumulation can lead to cell death in certain contexts, such as in response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Molecular Mechanisms:
mTOR Pathway: The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator of autophagy. Inhibition of mTOR can lead to increased autophagosome formation.
Beclin-1: This protein is essential for the initiation of autophagy and is often downregulated in various cancers, affecting autophagosome formation.
LC3 Protein: The conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II is a marker of autophagosome formation and is often studied in cancer research.
Generally, high levels of autophagosome accumulation and autophagy-related protein expression are associated with poor prognosis in many cancers, particularly in advanced stages or in the context of treatment resistance.
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