Niclosamide induces mitochondria fragmentation and promotes both apoptotic and autophagic cell death.

Authors

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.