Enhancement of high glucose‐induced PINK1 expression by melatonin stimulates neuronal cell survival: Involvement of MT2/Akt/NF‐κB pathway

Hyperglycemia is a representative hallmark and risk factor for diabetes mellitus (DM) and is closely linked to DM‐associated neuronal cell death. Previous investigators reported on a genome‐wide association study and showed relationships between DM and melatonin receptor (MT), highlighting the role of MT signaling by assessing melatonin in DM. However, the role of MT signaling in DM pathogenesis is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of mitophagy regulators in high glucose‐induced neuronal cell death and the effect of melatonin against high glucose‐induced mitophagy regulators in neuronal cells. In our results, high glucose significantly increased PTEN‐induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and LC‐3B expressions; as well it decreased cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 expression and Mitotracker? fluorescence intensity. Silencing of PINK1 induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial membrane potential impairment, increased expressions of cleaved caspases, and increased the number of annexin V‐positive cells. In addition, high glucose‐stimulated melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B) mRNA and PINK1 expressions were reversed by ROS scavenger N‐acetyl cysteine pretreatment. Upregulation of PINK1 expression in neuronal cells is suppressed by pretreatment with MT₂ receptor‐specific inhibitor 4‐P‐PDOT. We further showed melatonin stimulated Akt phosphorylation, which was followed by nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Silencing of PINK1 expression abolished melatonin‐regulated mitochondrial ROS production, cleaved caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 expressions, and the number of annexin V‐positive cells. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the melatonin stimulates PINK1 expression via an MT₂/Akt/NF‐κB pathway, and such stimulation is important for the prevention of neuronal cell apoptosis under high glucose conditions.