Roundup-Induced AMPK/mTOR-Mediated Autophagy in Human A549 Cells

J Agric Food Chem. 2019 Oct 16;67(41):11364-11372. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b04679. Epub 2019 Oct 7.

Abstract

The extensive use of pesticide caused an amount of pressure on the environment and increased the potential human health risk. Glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) is one of the most widely used pesticides based on a 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase target, which does not exist in vertebrates. Here, we study autophagic effects of the most famous commercial GBH Roundup (RDP) on human A549 cells in vitro. Intracellular biochemical assay indicated opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, LC3-II conversion, up-regulation of beclin-1, down-regulation of p62, and the changes in the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR induced by RDP in A549 cells. Further experimental results indicated that all the effects induced by RDP were related to its adjuvant polyethoxylated tallow amine, not its herbicidal active ingredient glyphosate isopropylamine salt. All these results showed that RDP has the ability to induce AMPK/mTOR-mediated cell autophagy in human A549 cells. This study would provide a theoretical basis for understanding RDP's autophagic effects on human A549 cells and attract attention on the potential human health risks induced by the adjuvant.

Keywords: A549 cells; Roundup; adjuvant POEA; autophagy; glyphosate isopropylamine salt.

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Beclin-1 / genetics
  • Beclin-1 / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Glycine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glycine / toxicity
  • Glyphosate
  • Herbicides / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Beclin-1
  • Herbicides
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Glycine