Niclosamide induces mitochondria fragmentation and promotes both apoptotic and autophagic cell death

BMB Rep. 2011 Aug;44(8):517-22. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2011.44.8.517.

Abstract

Mitochondrial dynamics not only involves mitochondrial morphology but also mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial distribution, and cell death. To identify specific regulators to mitochondria dynamics, we screened a chemical library and identified niclosamide as a potent inducer of mitochondria fission. Niclosamide promoted mitochondrial fragmentation but this was blocked by down-regulation of Drp1. Niclosamide treatment resulted in the disruption of mitochondria membrane potential and reduction of ATP levels. Moreover, niclosamide led to apoptotic cell death by caspase-3 activation. Interestingly, niclosamide also increased autophagic activity. Inhibition of autophagy suppressed niclosamide-induced cell death. Therefore, our findings suggest that niclosamide induces mitochondria fragmentation and may contribute to apoptotic and autophagic cell death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Autophagy-Related Protein 5
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dynamins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Niclosamide / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • ATG5 protein, human
  • Autophagy-Related Protein 5
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Niclosamide
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • DNM1L protein, human
  • Dynamins