Autophagy and unfolded protein response (UPR) regulate mammary gland involution by restraining apoptosis-driven irreversible changes.

ABSTRACT: The postnatal mammary gland undergoes repeated cycles of proliferation and cell death, most notably when the fully differentiated (lactating) gland dedifferentiates to a prelactation state. Accumulation of milk proteins in the secretory epithelium creates the stress signal that triggers this process (involution). How this stress is perceived, and the cellular processes that are subsequently activated, remain unclear. We now report that Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), autophagy, and apoptosis related genes cluster separately during lactation and involution in the mouse mammary gland. Time-course experiments in rodents show that autophagy and UPR signaling are tightly co-regulated at the transition from reversible to irreversible involution. Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine or genetic

SUBMITTER: Warri A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6186758 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature