Garcinone E Blocks Autophagy Through Lysosomal Functional Destruction in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Background: High proliferative rate of cancer cells requires autophagy to maintain nutrient supply and intracellular homeostasis. As a result, impairing autophagic ?flux could be a novel strategy of cancer therapy. Aims and Objectives: In this study, the mechanism of a xanthone derivative isolated from Garcinia mangostana, garcinone E (GE), was investigated. Materials and Methods: Fluorescence assay was used to observe the accumulation and location of autophagosome and lysosome. Flow cytometry with Lyso-tracker red, MDC, and AO staining were applied to evaluate the lysosome accumulation and cellular acidity. Western blot and RT-qPCR were performed to evaluate the protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Results: GE could cause enhancement of LC3Ⅱ and p62 and the accumulation of autophagosome and lysosome. Meanwhile, it limited the protein level of Rab7, increased lysosomal pH, and inhibited the maturation of lysosomal hydrolases such as Cathepsin L, therefore blockaded the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome. Moreover, GE acted as a TFEB modulator by downregulating its protein level, which might contribute to autophagy dysfunction in ovarian cancer cells. Conclusions: GE interfered autophagosome–lysosome fusion in cancer cells, which demonstrated its application as an autophagy regulator and a potential therapeutic agent.