Background: Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system that removes unnecessary or dysfunctional components and recycles them for other cellular functions. Over the years, a mutual regulation between lipid metabolism and autophagy has been uncovered. Methods: This is a narrative review discussing the connection between SCD1 and the autophagic process, along with the modality through which this crosstalk can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Results: Fatty acids, depending on the species, can have either activating or inhibitory roles on autophagy. In turn, autophagy regulates the mobilization of fat from cellular deposits, such as lipid droplets, and removes unnecessary lipids to prevent cellular lipotoxicity. This review describes the regulation of autophagy by lipid metabolism in cancer cells, focusing on the role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), the key enzyme involved in the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. SCD1 plays an important role in cancer, promoting cell proliferation and metastasis. The role of autophagy in cancer is more complex since it can act either by protecting against the onset of cancer or by promoting tumor growth. Mounting evidence indicates that autophagy and lipid metabolism are tightly interconnected. Conclusion: Here, we discuss controversial findings of SCD1 as an autophagy inducer or inhibitor in cancer, highlighting how these activities may result in cancer promotion or inhibition depending upon the degree of cancer heterogeneity and plasticity.

SCD1, autophagy and cancer: implications for therapy / Ascenzi, F.; De Vitis, C.; Maugeri-Sacca, M.; Napoli, C.; Ciliberto, G.; Mancini, R.. - In: JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH. - ISSN 1756-9966. - 40:1(2021), pp. 1-16. [10.1186/s13046-021-02067-6]

SCD1, autophagy and cancer: implications for therapy

Ascenzi F.
Primo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
De Vitis C.
Secondo
Validation
;
Napoli C.
Investigation
;
Mancini R.
Ultimo
Supervision
2021

Abstract

Background: Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system that removes unnecessary or dysfunctional components and recycles them for other cellular functions. Over the years, a mutual regulation between lipid metabolism and autophagy has been uncovered. Methods: This is a narrative review discussing the connection between SCD1 and the autophagic process, along with the modality through which this crosstalk can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Results: Fatty acids, depending on the species, can have either activating or inhibitory roles on autophagy. In turn, autophagy regulates the mobilization of fat from cellular deposits, such as lipid droplets, and removes unnecessary lipids to prevent cellular lipotoxicity. This review describes the regulation of autophagy by lipid metabolism in cancer cells, focusing on the role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), the key enzyme involved in the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. SCD1 plays an important role in cancer, promoting cell proliferation and metastasis. The role of autophagy in cancer is more complex since it can act either by protecting against the onset of cancer or by promoting tumor growth. Mounting evidence indicates that autophagy and lipid metabolism are tightly interconnected. Conclusion: Here, we discuss controversial findings of SCD1 as an autophagy inducer or inhibitor in cancer, highlighting how these activities may result in cancer promotion or inhibition depending upon the degree of cancer heterogeneity and plasticity.
2021
autophagy; cancer; lipid metabolism
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01g Articolo di rassegna (Review)
SCD1, autophagy and cancer: implications for therapy / Ascenzi, F.; De Vitis, C.; Maugeri-Sacca, M.; Napoli, C.; Ciliberto, G.; Mancini, R.. - In: JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH. - ISSN 1756-9966. - 40:1(2021), pp. 1-16. [10.1186/s13046-021-02067-6]
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
Acenzi_SCD1-autophagy_2021.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 3.07 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.07 MB Adobe PDF

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1566608
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 43
  • Scopus 71
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 71
social impact