Context-dependent role of ATG4B as target for autophagy inhibition in prostate cancer therapy

E Tran, A Chow, T Goda, A Wong, K Blakely… - Biochemical and …, 2013 - Elsevier
E Tran, A Chow, T Goda, A Wong, K Blakely, M Rocha, S Taeb, VC Hoang, SK Liu
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 2013Elsevier
ATG4B belongs to the autophagin family of cysteine proteases required for autophagy, an
emerging target of cancer therapy. Developing pharmacological ATG4B inhibitors is a very
active area of research. However, detailed studies on the role of ATG4B during anticancer
therapy are lacking. By analyzing PC-3 and C4-2 prostate cancer cells overexpressing
dominant negative ATG4B C74A in vitro and in vivo, we show that the effects of ATG4B
C74A are cell type, treatment, and context-dependent. ATG4B C74A expression can either …
Abstract
ATG4B belongs to the autophagin family of cysteine proteases required for autophagy, an emerging target of cancer therapy. Developing pharmacological ATG4B inhibitors is a very active area of research. However, detailed studies on the role of ATG4B during anticancer therapy are lacking. By analyzing PC-3 and C4-2 prostate cancer cells overexpressing dominant negative ATG4BC74A in vitro and in vivo, we show that the effects of ATG4BC74A are cell type, treatment, and context-dependent. ATG4BC74A expression can either amplify the effects of cytotoxic therapies or contribute to treatment resistance. Thus, the successful clinical application of ATG4B inhibitors will depend on finding predictive markers of response.
Elsevier