Pomegranate activates TFEB to promote autophagy-lysosomal fitness and mitophagy

Sci Rep. 2019 Jan 24;9(1):727. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-37400-1.

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction underscores aging and diseases. Mitophagy (mitochondria + autophagy) is a quality control pathway that preserves mitochondrial health by targeting damaged mitochondria for autophagic degradation. Hence, molecules or compounds that can augment mitophagy are therapeutic candidates to mitigate mitochondrial-related diseases. However, mitochondrial stress remains the most effective inducer of mitophagy. Thus, identification of mitophagy-inducing regimes that are clinically relevant is favorable. In this study, pomegranate extract (PE) supplementation is shown to stimulate mitophagy. PE activates transcription factor EB (TFEB) to upregulate the expression of autophagy and lysosomal genes for mitochondrial quality control under basal and stress conditions. Basally, PE alters mitochondrial morphology and promotes recruitment of autophagosomes to the mitochondria (mitophagosome formation). Upon onset of mitochondrial stress, PE further augments mitophagosome formation, and engages PINK1 and Parkin to the mitochondria to potentiate mitophagy. This cellular phenomenon of PE-induced mitophagy helps to negate superfluous mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial impairment. Overall, our study highlights the potential of PE supplementation as a physiological therapy to modulate TFEB activity to alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and mitochondrial-related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Genetic Fitness / drug effects
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lysosomes / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / genetics
  • Mitophagy / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Pomegranate / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • TFEB protein, human