Open AccessGraphene oxide induces autophagy and apoptosis via the ROS-dependent AMPK/mTOR/ULK-1 pathway in colorectal cancer cells
Author(s) -
Jiamen Shen,
Jiatian Dong,
Feng Shao,
Jichun Zhao,
Ling Gong,
Huipeng Wang,
Wenjie Chen,
Yafei Zhang,
Yuankun Cai
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
nanomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1748-6963
pISSN - 1743-5889
DOI - 10.2217/nnm-2022-0030
Subject(s) - autophagy , ampk , pi3k/akt/mtor pathway , ulk1 , apoptosis , reactive oxygen species , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , cancer research , in vivo , signal transduction , kinase , biology , protein kinase a , biochemistry
Aim: To investigate the anticancer effects and action mechanism of graphene oxide (GO) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials & methods: Anticancer effects and mechanisms of GO in CRC were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. Results: GO significantly inhibited tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. GO was able to enter HCT116 cells through endocytosis. GO treatment resulted in cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, autophagy and activation of the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signal pathway. However, ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuated the above effects and restored the effects of GO on protein expressions related to apoptosis, autophagy and AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signal pathways. Conclusion: GO exerts anticancer effects against CRC via ROS-dependent AMPK/mTOR/ULK-1 pathway-related autophagy and apoptosis.