Autophagy · 2009 · 76 citations · 1 references
MitophagyApoptosisCell DeathEr StressPotential Anti-tumoral AgentCell Death MechanismsCannabinoid PharmacologyTumor BiologyMolecular PharmacologyCell AutophagyCell RegulationAutophagyCellular Regulatory MechanismCell SignalingAkt/mtorc1 AxisCannabis UseAutoimmunityPharmacologyCell BiologyAnti-tumoral ActionSignal TransductionFunctional SelectivitySystems BiologyMedicine
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component of marijuana, is being investigated as a potential anti-tumoral agent. We find that THC stimulates an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related signaling pathway, which activates autophagy via inhibition of the Akt/mTORC1 axis. We also show that autophagy is upstream of apoptosis in cannabinoid-induced cancer cell death and that activation of this pathway is necessary for the anti-tumoral action of cannabinoids in vivo.
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