Karyoptosis: A novel type of cell death caused by chronic autophagy inhibition

ABSTRACT

Macroautophagy/autophagy influences onset and progression of several human neurodegenerative diseases, because of its critical role as a regulator of neuronal proteostasis and organelle quality control. In many neurodegenerative diseases, impairment in autophagy is thought to play a fundamental part in the terminal phases of cellular degeneration and death. However, the ultimate mechanism of neuronal cell death remains elusive. In a recent study we have identified a new form of regulated cell death, which arises upon autophagy inhibition.

KEYWORDS:

• Atrophin
• autophagy
• cell death
• EPG5
• neurodegeneration
• nucleophagy
• polyglutamine

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Ataxia UK [grant number A43]; Henry Smith Charity [grant number 20121109].