Targeting proteasome and autophagy with Fragaria Vesca L

The dysfunction of protein degradative pathways has been associated with the development of a number of important diseases including cancer. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a Fragaria vesca L. leaves extract in ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy, the two major intracellular degradation pathways. Fragaria vesca extract was obtained by successive extractions with ethanol and 50% aqueous ethanol. Using the fluorogenic peptide Suc-LLVY-AMC as substrate, we demonstrated that the extract significantly reduced the chemotripsin-like activity of proteasome at different time points, in a macrophage cell line. Furthermore, and through western blot assay, we observed an increase in ubiquitin conjugates and an increased conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, a marker of autophagy. In conclusion, the extract reduces proteasome activity, increases autophagy and could be a valuable source of lead molecules with anti-carcinogenic activity. Acknowledgements: Research supported by FCT PhD fellowship SFRH/BD/72918/2010, and FCT project PTDC/SAU-FCF/105429/2008 and FEDER/COMPETE (FCOMP-01–0124-FEDER-011096).