Fig 6. A proposed mode for the action of AMDE-1.

AMDE-1 can trigger autophagy by the AMPK-mTOR-ULK1 pathway. However, AMDE-1 can also suppress lysosomal function and thus autophagic flux. Consequently, the lysosome dysfunction and/or the accumulation of non-degraded cellular material can promote cell death. The dashed arrow suggests that AMDE-1 may also affect autophagy by other unknown mechanisms.