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ANTONINO LAURIA

Indicaxanthin Induces Autophagy in Intestinal Epithelial Cancer Cells by Epigenetic Mechanisms Involving DNA Methylation

  • Authors: Ragusa, Maria Antonietta; Naselli, Flores; Cruciata, Ilenia; Volpes, Sara; Schimmenti, Chiara; Serio, Graziella; Mauro, Maurizio; Librizzi, Mariangela; Luparello, Claudio; Chiarelli, Roberto; La Rosa, Chiara; Lauria, Antonino; Gentile, Carla; Caradonna, Fabio
  • Publication year: 2023
  • Type: Articolo in rivista
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/605353

Abstract

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process critical in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Recently, the anticancer potential of autophagy inducers, including phytochemicals, was suggested. Indicaxanthin is a betalain pigment found in prickly pear fruit with antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in colorectal cancer cells associated with epigenetic changes in selected methylation-silenced oncosuppressor genes. Here, we demonstrate that indicaxanthin induces the up-regulation of the autophagic markers LC3-II and Beclin1, and increases autophagolysosome production in Caco-2 cells. Methylomic studies showed that the indicaxanthin-induced pro-autophagic activity was associated with epigenetic changes. In addition to acting as a hypermethylating agent at the genomic level, indicaxanthin also induced significant differential methylation in 39 out of 47 autophagy-related genes, particularly those involved in the late stages of autophagy. Furthermore, in silico molecular modelling studies suggested a direct interaction of indicaxanthin with Bcl-2, which, in turn, influenced the function of Beclin1, a key autophagy regulator. External effectors, including food components, may modulate the epigenetic signature of cancer cells. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the pro-autophagic potential of indicaxanthin in human colorectal cancer cells associated with epigenetic changes and contributes to outlining its potential healthy effect in the pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract.