Open AccessAmbra1 in autophagy and apoptosis: Implications for cell survival and chemotherapy resistance
Author(s) -
WeiLiang Sun
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
oncology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1792-1082
pISSN - 1792-1074
DOI - 10.3892/ol.2016.4644
Subject(s) - autophagy , apoptosis , cell cycle , molecular medicine , oncogene , cancer research , cell , chemotherapy , biology , programmed cell death , medicine , genetics
Increasing studies suggest that autophagy has a protective role in cancer treatment and may even be involved in chemotherapy resistance. Nevertheless, the mechanism of autophagy in cancer treatment and drug resistance has not yet been established. There is a complex association between autophagy and apoptosis. Accordingly, these two processes can mutually regulate and transform to determine the fate of a cell, depending on the context. Activating molecule in Beclin 1-regulated autophagy protein 1 (Ambra1) is an important factor at the crossroad between autophagy and apoptosis. The expression level and intracellular distributions of Ambra1 may control the balance and conversion between autophagy and apoptosis, and modify the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Therefore, Ambra1 may provide a novel target for cancer treatment, particularly for overcoming anticancer drug resistance. The present review focuses on the role of Ambra1 in autophagy and apoptosis and assesses the implications for cell survival and chemotherapy resistance.