[Effect of starvation-induced autophagy on cell cycle of tumor cells].

Background & Objective: No serum starvation could induce autophagy and cell cycle arrest. Although autophagy and cell cycle have been widely explored, little is known about their relationship. This study was to observe the change of Cyclin expression during starvation-induced autophagy to discuss the effect of autophagy on cell cycle.

Methods: In control group, HeLa cells were treated with d-Hanks solution (a medium with no serum). In experiment group, HeLa cells were treated with d-Hanks solution containing 3-methyladenine (3-MA, a specific inhibitor of autophagy). Cells were harvested after being starved for 0, 3, 6 and 12 h. Flow cytometry (FCM) and Weston blot were used to detect Cyclin and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC-3) which marked autophagy specifically.

Results: In control group, the expression of LC-3 protein was detected early after being starved for 3 h, and gradually increased along with starvation; the expression of Cyclin D3 and Cyclin E was decreased evidently after a short-time starvation (3 h) and descended to the minimum when cells were being starved for 6 h; the expression of Cyclin A and Cyclin B1 were apparently decreased after being starved for 6 h. In experiment group, LC-3 protein could not be detected during starvation when cells were exposed to 3-MA and the down-regulation of Cyclins was suppressed.

Conclusions: Autophagy is involved in starvation-induced hydrolysis of Cyclins. The hydrolysis of Cyclin D3 and Cyclin E is quicker than that of Cyclin A and Cyclin B1.