Involvement of Actin in Autophagy and Autophagy-Dependent Multidrug Resistance in Cancer

Abstract

Currently, autophagy in the context of cancer progression arouses a lot of controversy. It is connected with the possibility of switching the nature of this process from cytotoxic to cytoprotective and vice versa depending on the treatment. At the same time, autophagy of cytoprotective character may be one of the factors determining multidrug resistance, as intensification of the process is observed in patients with poorer prognosis. The exact mechanism of this relationship is not yet fully understood; however, it is suggested that one of the elements of the puzzle may be a cytoskeleton. In the latest literature reports, more and more attention is paid to the involvement of actin in the autophagy. The role of this protein is linked to the formation of autophagosomes, which are necessary element of the process. However, based on the proven effectiveness of manipulation of the actin pool, it seems to be an attractive alternative in breaking autophagy-dependent multidrug resistance in cancer.