Melatonin and regulation of autophagy: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Jinjing Wu; Yang Bai; Yaguang Wang; Jun Ma

doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105279

Melatonin and regulation of autophagy: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Pharmacol Res. 2021 Jan:163:105279. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105279. Epub 2020 Nov 5.

Authors

Jinjing Wu¹, Yang Bai¹, Yaguang Wang¹, Jun Ma²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University-Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China.
² Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University-Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: majuntongxun@163.com.

PMID: 33161138
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105279

Abstract

Mitochondria are essential subcellular units that generate basic energy for the cell, as well as influence Ca²⁺ flux, apoptosis, and cell signaling. Mitophagy can selectively remove impaired mitochondria to preserve mitochondrial function, which is crucial for normal cellular maintenance. Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy are widely reported to be linked to various pathogeneses. In addition, there is increasing evidence regarding the beneficial role of melatonin in the regulation and intervention of mitophagy progression. In this review, we focus on specific pathological conditions, including ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and elucidate the essential role of melatonin in the modulation of mitophagy in each of these distinct disorders.

Keywords: Cancer; Ischemia/reperfusion injury; Melatonin; Mitophagy; Neurodegenerative diseases.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Autophagy*
Cell Death
Humans
Melatonin / metabolism*
Neoplasms / metabolism
Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
Reperfusion Injury / metabolism

Substances

Melatonin