Park, So Jung; Shin, Ji Hyun; Kang, Hee; Hwang, Jung Jin; Cho, Dong-Hyung
Publication Year | 2011 |
Journal | BMB Reports |
Chapter | |
Pages | 517-522 |
Volume | 44 |
Issue | 8 |
Issn | |
Isbn | |
PMID | 21871175.0 |
PMCID | |
DOI | 10.5483/bmbrep.2011.44.8.517 |
URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.5483/bmbrep.2011.44.8.517 |
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.