Upregulation of sestrin 2 expression via JNK pathway activation contributes to autophagy induction in cancer cells

► The JNK pathway is a novel mediator of sestrin 2 expression. ► C-Jun is involved in the regulation of sestrin 2 transcription. ► JNK/sestrin 2 is required for excisanin A or serum deprivation-induced autophagy. ► Sestrin 2-mediated autophagy promotes cell death induced by excisanin A.