Melatonin protects hepatocytes against bile acid-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress via the AMPK-SIRT3-SOD2 pathway

Sirt1-Sirt3 axis regulates human blood-brain barrier permeability in response to ischemia

Sirtuin1 (Sirt1) and Sirtuin3 (Sirt3) are two well-characterized members of the silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) family of proteins. Both Sirt1 and Sirt3 have been shown to play vital roles in resistance to cellular stress, but the interaction between these two sirtuins has not been fully determined. In this study, we investigated the role of Sirt1-Sirt3 axis in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability after ischemia in vitro. Human brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes were co-cultured to model the BBB in vitro and oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) was performed to mimic ischemia. The results of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) showed that suppression of Sirt1 via siRNA or salermide significantly decreased BBB permeability, whereas Sirt3 knockdown increased BBB permeability. In addition, Sirt1 was shown to regulate Sirt3 expression after OGD through inhibiting the AMPK-PGC1 pathway. Application of the AMPK inhibitor compound C partially prevented the effects of Sirt1-Sirt3 axis on BBB permeability after OGD. The results of flow cytometry and cytochrome c release demonstrated that Sirt1 and Sirt3 exert opposite effects on OGD-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, suppression of Sirt1 was shown to attenuate mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which contribute to the Sirt1-Sirt3 axis-induced regulation of BBB permeability and cell damage. In summary, these findings demonstrate that the Sirt1-Sirt3 axis might act as an important modulator in BBB physiology, and could be a therapeutic target for ischemic stroke via regulating mitochondrial ROS generation.

Melatonin ameliorates myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury through SIRT3-dependent regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis

Sirtuins are a family of highly evolutionarily conserved nicotinamide adenine nucleotide-dependent histone deacetylases. Sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) is a member of the sirtuin family that is localized primarily to the mitochondria and protects against oxidative stress-related diseases, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Melatonin has a favorable effect in ameliorating MI/R injury. We hypothesized that melatonin protects against MI/R injury by activating the SIRT3 signaling pathway. In this study, mice were pretreated with or without a selective SIRT3 inhibitor and then subjected to MI/R operation. Melatonin was administered intraperitoneally (20 mg/kg) 10 minutes before reperfusion. Melatonin treatment improved postischemic cardiac contractile function, decreased infarct size, diminished lactate dehydrogenase release, reduced the apoptotic index, and ameliorated oxidative damage. Notably, MI/R induced a significant decrease in myocardial SIRT3 expression and activity, whereas the melatonin treatment upregulated SIRT3 expression and activity, and thus decreased the acetylation of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). In addition, melatonin increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased Bax, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-3 levels in response to MI/R. However, the cardioprotective effects of melatonin were largely abolished by the selective SIRT3 inhibitor 3-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (3-TYP), suggesting that SIRT3 plays an essential role in mediating the cardioprotective effects of melatonin. In vitro studies confirmed that melatonin also protected H9c2 cells against simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury (SIR) by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis, while SIRT3-targeted siRNA diminished these effects. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that melatonin treatment ameliorates MI/R injury by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis via activating the SIRT3 signaling pathway.

ZL006 protects spinal cord neurons against ischemia-induced oxidative stress through AMPK-PGC-1α-Sirt3 pathway

Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) induces a range of cellular and molecular cascades, including activation of glutamate receptors and downstream signaling. Post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) links neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) with the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors to form a ternary complex in the CNS. This molecular complex-mediated cytotoxicity has been implicated in brain ischemia, but its role in SCI has not been determined. The goal of the study was to investigate the potential protective effects of ZL006, a small-molecule inhibitor of the PSD-95/nNOS interaction, in an in vitro SCI model induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in cultured spinal cord neurons. We found that ZL006 reduced OGD-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, neuronal apoptosis and loss of cell viability. This protection was accompanied by the preservation of mitochondrial function, as evidenced by reduced mitochondrial oxidative stress, attenuated mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, and enhanced ATP generation. In addition, ZL006 stimulated mitochondrial enzyme activities and SOD2 deacetylation in a Sirt3-dependent manner. The results of western blot analysis showed that ZL006 increased the activation of AMPK-PGC-1α-Sirt3 pathway, and the beneficial effects of ZL006 was partially abolished by AMPK inhibitor and PGC-1α knockdown. Therefore, our present data showed that, by the AMPK-PGC-1α-Sirt3 pathway, ZL006 protects spinal cord neurons against ischemia through reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress to prevent apoptosis.

Melatonin and sirtuins: A "not-so unexpected" relationship

Epigenetic modifications, including methylation or acetylation as well as post-transcriptional modifications, are mechanisms used by eukaryotic cells to increase the genome diversity in terms of differential gene expression and protein diversity. Among these modifying enzymes, sirtuins, a class III histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes, are of particular importance. Sirtuins regulate the cell cycle, DNA repair, cell survival, and apoptosis, thus having important roles in normal and cancer cells. Sirtuins can also regulate metabolic pathways by changing preference for glycolysis under aerobic conditions as well as glutaminolysis. These actions make sirtuins a major target in numerous physiological processes as well as in other contexts such as calorie restriction-induced anti-aging, cancer, or neurodegenerative disease. Interestingly, melatonin, a nighttime-produced indole synthesized by pineal gland and many other organs, has important cytoprotective effects in many tissues including aging, neurodegenerative diseases, immunomodulation, and cancer. The pleiotropic actions of melatonin in different physiological and pathological conditions indicate that may be basic cellular targeted for the indole. Thus, much research has focused attention on the potential mechanisms of the indole in modulating expression and/or activity of sirtuins. Numerous findings report a rise in activity, especially on SIRT1, in a diversity of cells and animal models after melatonin treatment. This contrasts, however, with data reporting an inhibitory effect of melatonin on this sirtuin in some tumor cells. This review tabulates and discusses the recent findings relating melatonin with sirtuins, particularly SIRT1 and mitochondrial SIRT3, showing the apparent dichotomy with the differential actions documented in normal and in cancer cells.

Melatonin attenuates postmyocardial infarction injury via increasing Tom70 expression

Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) overload, exacerbating injury in myocardial infarction (MI). As a receptor for translocases in the outer mitochondrial membrane (Tom) complex, Tom70 has an unknown function in MI, including melatonin-induced protection against MI injury. We delivered specific small interfering RNAs against Tom70 or lentivirus vectors carrying Tom70a sequences into the left ventricles of mice or to cultured neonatal murine ventricular myocytes (NMVMs). At 48 h post-transfection, the left anterior descending coronary arteries of mice were permanently ligated, while the NMVMs underwent continuous hypoxia. At 24 h after ischemia/hypoxia, oxidative stress was assessed by dihydroethidium and lucigenin-enhanced luminescence, mitochondrial damage by transmission electron microscopy and ATP content, and cell apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling and caspase-3 assay. At 4 weeks after ischemia, cardiac function and fibrosis were evaluated in mice by echocardiography and Masson's trichrome staining, respectively. Ischemic/hypoxic insult reduced Tom70 expression in cardiomyocytes. Tom70 downregulation aggravated post-MI injury, with increased mitochondrial fragmentation and ROS overload. In contrast, Tom70 upregulation alleviated post-MI injury, with improved mitochondrial integrity and decreased ROS production. PGC-1α/Tom70 expression in ischemic myocardium was increased with melatonin alone, but not when combined with luzindole. Melatonin attenuated post-MI injury in control but not in Tom70-deficient mice. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reversed the adverse effects of Tom70 deficiency in mitochondria and cardiomyocytes, but at a much higher concentration than melatonin. Our findings showed that Tom70 is essential for melatonin-induced protection against post-MI injury, by breaking the cycle of mitochondrial impairment and ROS generation.

Melatonin: A Mitochondrial Targeting Molecule Involving Mitochondrial Protection and Dynamics

Melatonin has been speculated to be mainly synthesized by mitochondria. This speculation is supported by the recent discovery that aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase/serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AANAT/SNAT) is localized in mitochondria of oocytes and the isolated mitochondria generate melatonin. We have also speculated that melatonin is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. It accumulates in mitochondria with high concentration against a concentration gradient. This is probably achieved by an active transportation via mitochondrial melatonin transporter(s). Melatonin protects mitochondria by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), and activating uncoupling proteins (UCPs). Thus, melatonin maintains the optimal mitochondrial membrane potential and preserves mitochondrial functions. In addition, mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics is also regulated by melatonin. In most cases, melatonin reduces mitochondrial fission and elevates their fusion. Mitochondrial dynamics exhibit an oscillatory pattern which matches the melatonin circadian secretory rhythm in pinealeocytes and probably in other cells. Recently, melatonin has been found to promote mitophagy and improve homeostasis of mitochondria.

Metabolic reprogramming and AMPKα1 pathway activation by caulerpin in colorectal cancer cells

Caulerpin, a secondary metabolite from the marine invasive green algae Caulerpa cylindracea is known to induce mitochondrial dysfunctions. In this study, the anticancer property of caulerpin was assessed in a panel of colorectal cancer cell lines. We demonstrated that caulerpin inhibited oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and facilitated an early intervention of the mitochondrial function, via inhibiting mitochondrial complex I, accompanied by the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and a surge of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Moreover, in response to the increment in AMP/ATP ratio, the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was activated by caulerpin treatment in a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 (CaMKK2)‑dependent manner. Distinguished effect on glycolysis was observed at different time-points after caulerpin treatment. Glycolysis was enhanced after a short time treatment with caulerpin, associated with upregulation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), hexokinase II (HKII) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3) protein expressions. However, long-term activation of AMPK by caulerpin damaged the glycolysis and glucose metabolism in colorectal cells, finally causing cell death. The persistent effect of caulerpin was mediated by AMPKα1, rather than AMPKα2, to abolish cell viability through hindering mTORC1-4E-BP1 axis. Moreover, caulerpin synergized with the glycolytic inhibitor 3BP in inhibiting cellular proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings on the previously uncharacterized anticancer effects of caulerpin may provide potential therapeutic approaches targeting the colorectal carcinoma metabolism.

Who watches the watchmen? Regulation of the expression and activity of sirtuins

Sirtuins (SIRT1-7) are a family of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent enzymes that catalyze post-translational modifications of proteins. Together, they regulate crucial cellular functions and are traditionally associated with aging and longevity. Dysregulation of sirtuins plays an important role in major diseases, including cancer and metabolic, cardiac, and neurodegerative diseases. They are extensively regulated in response to a wide range of stimuli, including nutritional and metabolic challenges, inflammatory signals or hypoxic and oxidative stress. Each sirtuin is regulated individually in a tissue- and cell-specific manner. The control of sirtuin expression involves all the major points of regulation, including transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms and microRNAs. Collectively, these mechanisms control the protein levels, localization, and enzymatic activity of sirtuins. In many cases, the regulators of sirtuin expression are also their substrates, which lead to formation of intricate regulatory networks and extensive feedback loops. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms mediating the physiologic and pathologic regulation of sirtuin expression and activity. We also discuss the consequences of this regulation on sirtuin function and cellular physiology.-Buler, M., Andersson, U., Hakkola, J. Who watches the watchmen? Regulation of the expression and activity of sirtuins.

Melatonin reverses flow shear stress-induced injury in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling

Tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHVs) are a promising treatment for valvular heart disease, although their application is limited by high flow shear stress (FSS). Melatonin has a wide range of physiological functions and is currently under clinical investigation for expanded applications; moreover, extensive protective effects on the cardiovascular system have been reported. In this study, we investigated the protection conferred by melatonin supplementation against FSS-induced injury in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and elucidated the potential mechanism in this process. Melatonin markedly reduced BMSC apoptotic death in a concentration-dependent manner while increasing the levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and decreasing those of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), and caspase 3. Notably, melatonin exerted its protective effects by upregulating the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which promotes acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation. Further molecular experiments revealed that luzindole, a nonselective antagonist of melatonin receptors, blocked the anti-FSS injury (anti-FSSI) effects of melatonin. Inhibition of AMPK by Compound C also counteracted the protective effects of melatonin, suggesting that melatonin reverses FSSI in BMSCs through the AMPK-dependent pathway. Overall, our findings indicate that melatonin contributes to the amelioration of FSS-induced BMSC injury by activating melatonin receptors and AMPK/ACC signaling. Our findings may provide a basis for the design of more effective strategies that promote the use of TEHCs in patients.