Expression of Derlin-1 and its effect on expression of autophagy marker genes under endoplasmic reticulum stress in lung cancer cells

Background: Recent findings indicated that Derlin-1 has an important function in tumour progression. In this study, we aimed to determine whether Derlin-1 has an oncogene function as a cross-talk molecule with autophagy. Methods: Cancer cells were treated with tunicamycin (TM) for 8 and 24 h. The expression of Derlin-1 and autophagy-related genes was determined by western blot. Autophagy was analysed by fluorescence microscopy after staining the cancer cells with monodansylcadaverine. The interaction between Derlin-1 and other proteins was identified using co-immunoprecipitation assay. Results: Our study demonstrated high Derlin-1 expression levels in most non-small lung cancer cell lines. Derlin-1 expression was enhanced under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Previous studies revealed that TM triggers the initiation of autophagy by activating Beclin 1, converting LC3I to LC3II and degrading p62. Knockdown of Derlin-1 did not affect Beclin 1 and LC3II expression but disrupted the degradation of p62 under ER stress, which resulted in the blockage of autophagy flux. Furthermore, Derlin-1 and p62 were observed to interact under ER stress. Conclusion: This study is the first report about the interaction between Derlin-1 and p62. Derlin-1 may function in tumour progression partially by interacting with p62.