Figure 5.

Link between autophagy and hyperandrogenism in PCOS. Different autophagic responses are observed at various locations due to an increased level of androgen in PCOS. (A) Theca cells: Increase in palmitic acid augments SQSTM1 and ubiquitin, which inhibits autophagy. Declined autophagy induces testosterone production by increasing ROS and enhanced mRNA expression of CYP17A1 and SERPINE1 via MAPK/p38 and MAPK8 activations. (B) Skeletal Muscles: Testosterone causes activation of MTORC1, which inhibits the autophagy proteins and suppresses autophagy. (C) Uterus: Altered gene expression in response to hyperandrogenemia inhibits autophagy. (D) Granulosa Cells: Testosterone induces expression of BECN1, ATG, LC3, and favors autophagy. Red arrow: deactivation; Black arrow: activation