Huhs1015 reduces pkm2 protein due to autophagic degradation in gastric cancer cells

The newly synthesized anticancer drug HUHS1015 decreased pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) protein in MKN28 and MKN45 human gastric cancer cells in a treatment time (10-60 min)-dependent manner. The effect of HUHS1015 was clearly inhibited by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. HUHS1015 increased LC3-II, that is required for the autophagosome formation in the autophagic processes, in a treatment time (10-60 min)-dependent manner. PKM2 deficiency induces cell death including apoptosis and activated caspase-3, -4, -8, and -9. Taken together, the results of the present study show that HUHS1015 decreases PKM2 protein due to autophagic degradation, which contributes to caspase activation and apoptosis induction in MKN28 and MKN45 cells.