Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Control of Autophagy and Lysosomes

Transcriptional control of ATGs and related genes in cancer cells

While the acute regulation of autophagy occurs mainly at the post-translational level, the maintenance of autophagic flux requires transcriptional up-regulation of numerous genes. We will search for cancer-associated transcription factors that regulate autophagy genes and may give rise to altered autophagy pathways and transformation-associated dramatic changes in lysosomal composition and function.

The role of microRNAs

A growing body of evidence indicates that miRNAs regulate autophagy. Our recent analysis identified four novel autophagy-regulating miRNAs that showed common interconnections and similarly altered tissue expression patterns. We will validate their ability to regulate autophagy as well as the control of miRNAs by autophagy pathways. Aiming at a more comprehensive understanding of miRNA impact on autophagy, we will also screen autophagy-regulating miRNAs for their ability to regulate key ATGs.