Autophagy induction is a Tor- and Tp53-independent cell survival response in a zebrafish model of disrupted ribosome biogenesis

Yeliz Boglev, Andrew P Badrock, Andrew Trotter, Qian Du, Elsbeth J Richardson, Adam Parslow, Sebastian J Markmiller, Nathan E Hall, Tanya A de Jong-Curtain, Annie Y Ng, Heather Verkade, Elke A Ober, Holly A Field, Donghun Shin, Chong Shin, Katherine M Hannan, Ross Duncan Hannan, Richard Bruce Pearson, Seok-Hyung Kim, Kevin C EssGraham Lieschke, Didier Y R Stainier, Joan K Heath

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58 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ribosome biogenesis underpins cell growth and division. Disruptions in ribosome biogenesis and translation initiation are deleterious to development and underlie a spectrum of diseases known collectively as ribosomopathies. Here, we describe a novel zebrafish mutant, titania (tti(s450)), which harbours a recessive lethal mutation in pwp2h, a gene encoding a protein component of the small subunit processome. The biochemical impacts of this lesion are decreased production of mature 18S rRNA molecules, activation of Tp53, and impaired ribosome biogenesis. In tti(s450), the growth of the endodermal organs, eyes, brain, and craniofacial structures is severely arrested and autophagy is up-regulated, allowing intestinal epithelial cells to evade cell death. Inhibiting autophagy in tti(s450) larvae markedly reduces their lifespan. Somewhat surprisingly, autophagy induction in tti(s450) larvae is independent of the state of the Tor pathway and proceeds unabated in Tp53-mutant larvae. These data demonstrate that autophagy is a survival mechanism invoked in response to ribosomal stress. This response may be of relevance to therapeutic strategies aimed at killing cancer cells by targeting ribosome biogenesis. In certain contexts, these treatments may promote autophagy and contribute to cancer cells evading cell death.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1 - 18
Number of pages18
JournalPLoS Genetics
Volume9
Issue number2 (Art # e1003279)
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

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