Identification of proteins differentially expressed by melatonin treatment in cerebral ischemic injury--a proteomics approach

Utility of melatonin on brain injury, synaptic transmission, and energy metabolism in rats with sepsis

Melatonin is a powerful endogenous antioxidant hormone. Its healing effects on energy balance and neuronal damage associated with oxidative metabolism disorders have been reported in pathologic conditions. We aimed to determinate the utility of melatonin on neuronal damage, synaptic transmission, and energy balance in the brain tissue of rats with sepsis induced with LPS. Rats was divided into four groups such as control, LPS (20 mg/kg i.p.), melatonin (10 mg/kg i.p. × 3), and LPS + Melatonin (LPS + Mel). After 6 h from the first injection, rats were decapitated, and also tissue and serum samples were taken. Lipid peroxidation and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were determined from the serum in all group. High energy compounds, creatine, and creatine phosphate are measured by HPLC methods from the homogenized tissue. Counts of living neurons are marked with NeuN (neuronal nuclei), degenerated neurons are marked with S100-ß and synaptic vesicles transmission is analyzed with synaptophysin antibodies immunoreactivities. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests were used to statistical analysis. In LPS group, AMP, ATP, creatine, and creatine phosphate levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and also ADP levels were significantly increased compared with the other groups (p < 0.01). Living neurons counts were significantly decreased in LPS (p < 0.01), melatonin, and LPS + Melatonin (p < 0.05) groups compared with control. Degenerated neurons counts were increased in LPS group compared with control (p < 0.01) and also decreased in both of melatonin and LPS + Melatonin groups (p < 0.01). Synaptophysin immunoreactivity was decreased in LPS group compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). We observed that melatonin administration prevents neuronal damage, regulates energy metabolism, and protects synaptic vesicle proteins from sepsis-induced reduction.

Unveiling the Significance of Peroxiredoxin 6 in Central Nervous System Disorders

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), a unique 1-Cys member of the peroxiredoxin family, exhibits peroxidase activity, phospholipase activity, and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) activity. Prdx6 has been known to be an important enzyme for the maintenance of lipid peroxidation repair, cellular metabolism, inflammatory signaling, and antioxidant damage. Growing research has demonstrated that the altered activity of this enzyme is linked with various pathological processes including central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This review discusses the distinctive structure, enzyme activity, and function of Prdx6 in different CNS disorders, as well as emphasizing the significance of Prdx6 in neurological disorders.

Systematic review of melatonin in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury: critical role and therapeutic opportunities

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the predominant causes for the poor prognosis of ischemic stroke patients after reperfusion therapy. Currently, potent therapeutic interventions for cerebral I/R injury are still very limited. Melatonin, an endogenous hormone, was found to be valid in preventing I/R injury in a variety of organs. However, a systematic review covering all neuroprotective effects of melatonin in cerebral I/R injury has not been reported yet. Thus, we perform a comprehensive overview of the influence of melatonin on cerebral I/R injury by collecting all available literature exploring the latent effect of melatonin on cerebral I/R injury as well as ischemic stroke. In this systematic review, we outline the extensive scientific studies and summarize the beneficial functions of melatonin, including reducing infarct volume, decreasing brain edema, improving neurological functions and attenuating blood-brain barrier breakdown, as well as its key protective mechanisms on almost every aspect of cerebral I/R injury, including inhibiting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, excessive autophagy, glutamate excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Subsequently, we also review the predictive and therapeutic implications of melatonin on ischemic stroke reported in clinical studies. We hope that our systematic review can provide the most comprehensive introduction of current advancements on melatonin in cerebral I/R injury and new insights into personalized diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke.

Retinoic Acid Has Neuroprotective effects by Modulating Thioredoxin in Ischemic Brain Damage and Glutamate-exposed Neurons

Ischemic stroke is a neurological disorder that causes pathological changes by increasing oxidative stress. Retinoic acid is one of the metabolites of vitamin A. It regulates oxidative stress and exerts neuroprotective effects. Thioredoxin is a small redox protein with antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether retinoic acid modulates the expression of thioredoxin in ischemic brain injury. Cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery and retinoic acid (5 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered to adult male rats for four days prior to surgery. MCAO induced neurological deficits and increased oxidative stress and retinoic acid attenuated these changes. Retinoic acid ameliorated the MCAO-induced decrease in thioredoxin expression. MCAO decreases the interaction between thioredoxin and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), and retinoic acid treatment alleviates this decrease. Glutamate (5 mM) exposure induced cell death and decreased thioredoxin expression in cultured neurons. Retinoic acid treatment attenuated these changes in a dose-dependent manner. Retinoic acid prevented the decrease of bcl-2 expression and the increase of bax expression caused by glutamate exposure. Moreover, retinoic acid attenuated the increases in caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, and cytochrome c in glutamate-exposed neurons. However, the mitigation effects of retinoic acid were lower in thioredoxin siRNA-transfected neurons than in non-transfected neurons. These results demonstrate that retinoic acid regulates oxidative stress and thioredoxin expression, maintains the interaction between thioredoxin and ASK1, and modulates apoptosis-associated proteins. Taken together, these results suggest that retinoic acid has neuroprotective effects by regulating thioredoxin expression and modulating apoptotic pathway.

The interconnections between the microtubules and mitochondrial networks in cardiocerebrovascular diseases: Implications for therapy

Microtubules, a highly dynamic cytoskeleton, participate in many cellular activities including mechanical support, organelles interactions, and intracellular trafficking. Microtubule organization can be regulated by modification of tubulin subunits, microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) or agents modulating microtubule assembly. Increasing studies demonstrate that microtubule disorganization correlates with various cardiocerebrovascular diseases including heart failure and ischemic stroke. Microtubules also mediate intracellular transport as well as intercellular transfer of mitochondria, a power house in cells which produce ATP for various physiological activities such as cardiac mechanical function. It is known to all that both microtubules and mitochondria participate in the progression of cancer and Parkinson's disease. However, the interconnections between the microtubules and mitochondrial networks in cardiocerebrovascular diseases remain unclear. In this paper, we will focus on the roles of microtubules in cardiocerebrovascular diseases, and discuss the interplay of mitochondria and microtubules in disease development and treatment. Elucidation of these issues might provide significant diagnostic value as well as potential targets for cardiocerebrovascular diseases.

Quantitative proteomics revealed extensive microenvironmental changes after stem cell transplantation in ischemic stroke

The local microenvironment is essential to stem cell-based therapy for ischemic stroke, and spatiotemporal changes of the microenvironment in the pathological process provide vital clues for understanding the therapeutic mechanisms. However, relevant studies on microenvironmental changes were mainly confined in the acute phase of stroke, and long-term changes remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the microenvironmental changes in the subacute and chronic phases of ischemic stroke after stem cell transplantation. Herein, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) were transplanted into the ischemic brain established by middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery. Positron emission tomography imaging and neurological tests were applied to evaluate the metabolic and neurofunctional alterations of rats transplanted with stem cells. Quantitative proteomics was employed to investigate the protein expression profiles in iPSCs-transplanted brain in the subacute and chronic phases of stroke. Compared with NSCs-transplanted rats, significantly increased glucose metabolism and neurofunctional scores were observed in iPSCs-transplanted rats. Subsequent proteomic data of iPSCs-transplanted rats identified a total of 39 differentially expressed proteins in the subacute and chronic phases, which are involved in various ischemic stroke-related biological processes, including neuronal survival, axonal remodeling, antioxidative stress, and mitochondrial function restoration. Taken together, our study indicated that iPSCs have a positive therapeutic effect in ischemic stroke and emphasized the wide-ranging microenvironmental changes in the subacute and chronic phases.

The Roles of Peroxiredoxin 6 in Brain Diseases

Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), the only mammalian 1-Cys member of the peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) family, has multiple functions of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity, acidic calcium-independent phospholipase (aiPLA2) activity, and lysophosphatidylcholine acyl transferase (LPCAT) activity. It has been documented to be involved in redox homeostasis, phospholipid turnover, glycolipid metabolism, and cellular signaling. Here, we reviewed the characteristics of the available Prdx6 genetic mouse models and the research progresses made with regard to PRDX6 in neuropsychiatric disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, brain aging, stroke, neurotrauma, gliomas, major depressive disorder, drug addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. The present review highlights the important roles of PRDX6 in neuropsychiatric disorders and may provide novel insights for the development of effective pharmacological treatments and genetic therapies.

Role of Melatonin in the Synchronization of Asexual Forms in the Parasite Plasmodium falciparum

The indoleamine compound melatonin has been extensively studied in the regulation of the circadian rhythm in nearly all vertebrates. The effects of melatonin have also been studied in Protozoan parasites, especially in the synchronization of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum via a complex downstream signalling pathway. Melatonin activates protein kinase A (PfPKA) and requires the activation of protein kinase 7 (PfPK7), PLC-IP₃, and a subset of genes from the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In other parasites, such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii, melatonin increases inflammatory components, thus amplifying the protective response of the host’s immune system and affecting parasite load. The development of melatonin-related indole compounds exhibiting antiparasitic properties clearly suggests this new and effective approach as an alternative treatment. Therefore, it is critical to understand how melatonin confers stimulatory functions in host–parasite biology.

Proteomic Analysis of Rat Cerebral Cortex in the Subacute to Long-Term Phases of Focal Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability, and ischemic stroke accounts for more than 80% of the disease occurrence. Timely reperfusion is essential in the treatment of ischemic stroke, but it is known to cause ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the relevant studies have mostly focused on the acute phase. Here we reported on a global proteomic analysis to investigate the development of cerebral I/R injury in the subacute and long-term phases. A rat model was used, with 2 h-middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed with 1, 7, and 14 days of reperfusion. The proteins of cerebral cortex were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, whole-gel slicing, and quantitative LC-MS/MS. Totally 5621 proteins were identified, among which 568, 755, and 492 proteins were detected to have significant dys-regulation in the model groups with 1, 7, and 14 days of reperfusion, respectively, when compared with the corresponding sham groups (n = 4, fold change ≥1.5 or ≤0.67 and p ≤ 0.05). Bioinformatic analysis on the functions and reperfusion time-dependent dys-regulation profiles of the proteins exhibited changes of structures and biological processes in cytoskeleton, synaptic plasticity, energy metabolism, inflammation, and lysosome from subacute to long-term phases of cerebral I/R injury. Disruption of cytoskeleton and synaptic structures, impairment of energy metabolism processes, and acute inflammation responses were the most significant features in the subacute phase. With the elongation of reperfusion time to the long-term phase, a tendency of recovery was detected on cytoskeleton, while inflammation pathways different from the subacute phase were activated. Also, lysosomal structures and functions might be restored. This is the first work reporting the proteome changes that occurred at different time points from the subacute to long-term phases of cerebral I/R injury and we expect it would provide useful information to improve the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of cerebral I/R injury and suggest candidates for treatment.

Peroxiredoxin6, a Multitask Antioxidant Enzyme Involved in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases

SIGNIFICANCE

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. NCDs mainly comprise diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and neurological degenerative diseases, which kill more than 80% of population, especially the elderly, worldwide. Recent Advances: Several recent theories established NCDs as multifactorial diseases, where a combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors contributes to their pathogenesis. Nevertheless, recent findings suggest that the common factor linking all these pathologies is an increase in oxidative stress and the age-related loss of the antioxidant mechanisms of defense against it. Impairment in mitochondrial homeostasis with consequent deregulation in oxidative stress balance has also been suggested.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Therefore, antioxidant proteins deserve particular attention for their potential role against NCDs. In particular, peroxiredoxin(Prdx)6 is a unique antioxidant enzyme, belonging to the Prdx family, with double properties, peroxidase and phospholipase activities. Through these activities, Prdx6 has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant enzyme, implicated in the pathogenesis of different NCDs. Recently, we described a phenotype of diabetes mellitus in Prdx6 knockout mice, suggesting a pivotal role of Prdx6 in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Increasing awareness on the role of antioxidant defenses in the pathogenesis of NCDs may open novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the burden of this pandemic phenomenon. However, knowledge of the role of Prdx6 in NCD prevention and pathogenesis is still not clarified.

Mitochondria: Central Organelles for Melatonin's Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Actions

Melatonin, along with its metabolites, have long been known to significantly reduce the oxidative stress burden of aging cells or cells exposed to toxins. Oxidative damage is a result of free radicals produced in cells, especially in mitochondria. When measured, melatonin, a potent antioxidant, was found to be in higher concentrations in mitochondria than in other organelles or subcellular locations. Recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial membranes possess transporters that aid in the rapid uptake of melatonin by these organelles against a gradient. Moreover, we predicted several years ago that, because of their origin from melatonin-producing bacteria, mitochondria likely also synthesize melatonin. Data accumulated within the last year supports this prediction. A high content of melatonin in mitochondria would be fortuitous, since these organelles produce an abundance of free radicals. Thus, melatonin is optimally positioned to scavenge the radicals and reduce the degree of oxidative damage. In light of the "free radical theory of aging", including all of its iterations, high melatonin levels in mitochondria would be expected to protect against age-related organismal decline. Also, there are many age-associated diseases that have, as a contributing factor, free radical damage. These multiple diseases may likely be deferred in their onset or progression if mitochondrial levels of melatonin can be maintained into advanced age.

Melatonin rescues cardiac thioredoxin system during ischemia-reperfusion injury in acute hyperglycemic state by restoring Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling in a membrane receptor-dependent manner

Stress hyperglycemia is commonly observed in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. It not only worsens cardiovascular prognosis but also attenuates the efficacies of various cardioprotective agents. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of melatonin against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in acute hyperglycemic state with a focus on Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling and intracellular thioredoxin (Trx) system. Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to MI/R surgery and high-glucose (HG, 500 g/L) infusion (4 mL/kg/h) to induce temporary hyperglycemia. Rats were treated with or without melatonin (10 mg/kg/d) during the operation. Furthermore, HG (33 mmol/L)-incubated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts were treated in the presence or absence of luzindole (a competitive melatonin receptor antagonist), DAPT (a γ-secretase inhibitor), LY294002 (a PI3-kinase/Akt inhibitor), or thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) adenoviral vectors. We found that acute hyperglycemia aggravated MI/R injury by suppressing Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling and intracellular Trx activity. Melatonin treatment effectively ameliorated MI/R injury by reducing infarct size, myocardial apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Moreover, melatonin also markedly enhanced Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling and rescued intracellular Trx system by upregulating Notch1, N1ICD, Hes1, and p-Akt expressions, increasing Trx activity, and downregulating Txnip expression. However, these effects were blunted by luzindole, DAPT, or LY294002. Additionally, Txnip overexpression not only decreased Trx activity, but also attenuated the cytoprotective effect of melatonin. We conclude that impaired Notch1 signaling aggravates MI/R injury in acute hyperglycemic state. Melatonin rescues Trx system by reducing Txnip expression via Notch1/Hes1/Akt signaling in a membrane receptor-dependent manner. Its role as a prophylactic/therapeutic drug deserves further clinical study.

Autoimmune Profiling Reveals Peroxiredoxin 6 as a Candidate Traumatic Brain Injury Biomarker

Autoimmune profiling in rats revealed the antioxidant enzyme, peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), as a target for autoantibodies evoked in response to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Consistent with this proposal, immunohistochemical analysis of rat cerebral cortex demonstrated that PRDX6 is highly expressed in the perivascular space, presumably contained within astrocytic foot processes. Accordingly, an immunosorbent electrochemiluminescence assay was developed for investigating PRDX6 in human samples. PRDX6 was found to be measurable in human blood and highly expressed in human cerebral cortex and platelets. Circulating levels of PRDX6 were elevated fourfold over control values 4 to 24 h following mild-to-moderate TBI. These findings suggest that PRDX6 may serve as a biomarker for TBI and that autoimmune profiling is a viable strategy for the discovery of novel TBI biomarkers.

Melatonin-induced temporal up-regulation of gene expression related to ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

There is an increasing understanding that melatonin and the ubiquitin/ proteasome system (UPS) interact to regulate multiple cellular functions. Post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination are important modulators of signaling processes, cell cycle and many other cellular functions. Previously, we reported a melatonin-induced upregulation of gene expression related to ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) in Plasmodium falciparum, the human malaria parasite, and that P. falciparum protein kinase 7 influences this process. This implies a role of melatonin, an indolamine, in modulating intraerythrocytic development of the parasite. In this report we demonstrate by qPCR analysis, that melatonin induces gene upregulation in nine out of fourteen genes of the UPS, consisting of the same set of genes previously reported, between 4 to 5 h after melatonin treatment. We demonstrate that melatonin causes a temporally controlled gene expression of UPS members.

Extrapineal melatonin: sources, regulation, and potential functions

Endogenous melatonin is synthesized from tryptophan via 5-hydroxytryptamine. It is considered an indoleamine from a biochemical point of view because the melatonin molecule contains a substituted indolic ring with an amino group. The circadian production of melatonin by the pineal gland explains its chronobiotic influence on organismal activity, including the endocrine and non-endocrine rhythms. Other functions of melatonin, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its genomic effects, and its capacity to modulate mitochondrial homeostasis, are linked to the redox status of cells and tissues. With the aid of specific melatonin antibodies, the presence of melatonin has been detected in multiple extrapineal tissues including the brain, retina, lens, cochlea, Harderian gland, airway epithelium, skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, thyroid, pancreas, thymus, spleen, immune system cells, carotid body, reproductive tract, and endothelial cells. In most of these tissues, the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes have been identified. Melatonin is present in essentially all biological fluids including cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, bile, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid, and breast milk. In several of these fluids, melatonin concentrations exceed those in the blood. The importance of the continual availability of melatonin at the cellular level is important for its physiological regulation of cell homeostasis, and may be relevant to its therapeutic applications. Because of this, it is essential to compile information related to its peripheral production and regulation of this ubiquitously acting indoleamine. Thus, this review emphasizes the presence of melatonin in extrapineal organs, tissues, and fluids of mammals including humans.

Neuroproteome changes after ischemia/reperfusion injury and tissue plasminogen activator administration in rats: a quantitative iTRAQ proteomics study

The thrombolytic, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). When administered after AIS, rt-PA has many adverse pleiotropic actions, which are currently poorly understood. The identification of proteins showing differential expression after rt-PA administration may provide insight into these pleiotropic actions. In this study we used a 2D-LC MS/MS iTRAQ proteomic analysis, western blotting, and pathway analysis to analyze changes in protein expression 24-hours after rt-PA administration in the cortical brain tissue of 36 rats that underwent a sham or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery. After rt-PA administration we reported alterations in the expressions of 18 proteins, many of which were involved in excitatory neurotransmitter function or cytoskeletal structure. The expression changes of GAD2 and EAAT1 were validated with western blot. The interactions between the identified proteins were analyzed with the IPA pathway analysis tool and three proteins: DPYSL2, RTN4, and the NF-kB complex, were found to have characteristics of being key proteins in the network. The differential protein expressions we observed may reflect pleiotropic actions of rt-PA after experimental stroke, and shine light on the mechanisms of rt-PA's adverse effects. This may have important implications in clinical settings where thrombolytic therapy is used to treat AIS.

Phenotypic changes caused by melatonin increased sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to cytokine-induced apoptosis

Melatonin has antiproliferative properties in prostate cancer cells. Melatonin reduces proliferation without increasing apoptosis, and it promotes cell differentiation into a neuroendocrine phenotype. Because neuroendocrine cells displayed an androgen-independent growth and high resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the role of molecules that induce neuroendocrine differentiation was questioned in terms of their usefulness as oncostatic agents. By using human epithelial androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, the role of melatonin in drug-induced apoptosis was studied after acute treatments. In addition to cytokines such as hrTNF-alpha and TRAIL, chemotherapeutic compounds, including doxorubicin, docetaxel, or etoposide, were employed in combination with melatonin to promote cell death. Melatonin promotes cell toxicity caused by cytokines without influencing the actions of chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, antioxidant properties of melatonin were confirmed in prostate cancer cells. However, its ability to increase cell death caused by cytokines was independent of the redox changes. Finally, phenotypic changes caused by chronic treatment with the indole, that is, neuroendocrine differentiation, make cells significantly more sensitive to cytokines and slightly more sensitive to some chemotherapeutic compounds. Thus, melatonin is a good inhibitor of the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, promoting phenotypic changes that do not increase survival mechanisms and make cells more sensitive to cytokines such as TNF-alpha or TRAIL.

Melatonin regulates the calcium-buffering proteins, parvalbumin and hippocalcin, in ischemic brain injury

Melatonin has anti-oxidant activity and it exerts a neuroprotective effects during ischemic brain injury. Calcium-buffering proteins including parvalbumin and hippocalcin are involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation through calcium signaling. This study investigated whether melatonin moderates parvalbumin and hippocalcin expression in cerebral ischemia and glutamate toxicity-induced neuronal cell death. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with vehicle or melatonin (5 mg/kg) prior to MCAO, and cerebral cortical tissues were collected 24 hr after MCAO. Parvalbumin and hippocalcin levels were decreased in vehicle-treated animal with MCAO, whereas melatonin prevented the ischemic injury-induced reduction in these proteins. In cultured hippocampal cells, glutamate toxicity decreased parvalbumin and hippocalcin levels, while melatonin treatment prevented the glutamate exposure-induced diminished in these proteins levels. Melatonin also attenuated the glutamate toxicity-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+) levels. These results suggest that the maintenance of parvalbumin and hippocalcin levels by melatonin in ischemic injury contributes to the neuroprotective effect of melatonin against neuronal cell damage.

Ubiquitin proteasome system and the atypical kinase PfPK7 are involved in melatonin signaling in Plasmodium falciparum

We previously reported that melatonin modulates the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic cycle by increasing schizont stage population as well as diminishing ring stage population. In addition, the importance of calcium and cAMP in melatonin signaling pathway in P. falciparum was also demonstrated. Nevertheless, the molecular effectors of the indoleamine signaling pathway remain elusive. We now demonstrate by real-time PCR that melatonin treatment up-regulates genes related to ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) components and that luzindole, a melatonin receptor antagonist, inhibits UPS transcription modulation. We also show that protein kinase PfPK7, a P. falciparum orphan kinase, plays a crucial role in the melatonin transduction pathway, since following melatonin treatment of P. falciparum parasites where pfpk7 gene is disrupted (pfpk7(-) parasites) (i) the ratio of asexual stages remain unchanged, (ii) the increase in cytoplasmatic calcium in response to melatonin was strongly diminished and (iii) up-regulation of UPS genes did not occur. The wild-type melatonin-induced alterations in cell cycle features, calcium rise and UPS gene transcription were restored by re-introduction of a functional copy of the pfpk7 gene in the pfpk7(-) parasites.

The antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin and its protective role in neurological disorders

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) represents a family of sulfhydryl-dependent peroxidases that reduce hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides to water and alcohols, respectively. There are six known mammalian isozymes (Prx1-6), classified as typical 2-Cys, atypical 2-Cys, or 1-Cys Prxs. In addition to their well-established peroxide-scavenging activity, Prxs also participate in the regulation of various cell signaling pathways. Experimental studies provide substantial evidence for a protective role of Prxs in various neurological disorders involving oxidative and inflammatory stress. There is also evidence suggesting a potential benefit of Prxs in certain neurological diseases in human subjects. This review first describes the biochemical properties and molecular regulation of Prxs, then summarizes the major findings on the neuroprotective functions of Prxs and finally discusses the feasibility of using natural compounds, including those from herbal remedies to augment Prx expression to counteract oxidative neurological disorders.

Radiation protection following nuclear power accidents: a survey of putative mechanisms involved in the radioprotective actions of taurine during and after radiation exposure

There are several animal experiments showing that high doses of ionizing radiation lead to strongly enhanced leakage of taurine from damaged cells into the extracellular fluid, followed by enhanced urinary excretion. This radiation-induced taurine depletion can itself have various harmful effects (as will also be the case when taurine depletion is due to other causes, such as alcohol abuse or cancer therapy with cytotoxic drugs), but taurine supplementation has been shown to have radioprotective effects apparently going beyond what might be expected just as a consequence of correcting the harmful consequences of taurine deficiency per se. The mechanisms accounting for the radioprotective effects of taurine are, however, very incompletely understood. In this article an attempt is made to survey various mechanisms that potentially might be involved as parts of the explanation for the overall beneficial effect of high levels of taurine that has been found in experiments with animals or isolated cells exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation. It is proposed that taurine may have radioprotective effects by a combination of several mechanisms: (1) during the exposure to ionizing radiation by functioning as an antioxidant, but perhaps more because it counteracts the prooxidant catalytic effect of iron rather than functioning as an important scavenger of harmful molecules itself, (2) after the ionizing radiation exposure by helping to reduce the intensity of the post-traumatic inflammatory response, and thus reducing the extent of tissue damage that develops because of severe inflammation rather than as a direct effect of the ionizing radiation per se, (3) by functioning as a growth factor helping to enhance the growth rate of leukocytes and leukocyte progenitor cells and perhaps also of other rapidly proliferating cell types, such as enterocyte progenitor cells, which may be important for immunological recovery and perhaps also for rapid repair of various damaged tissues, especially in the intestines, and (4) by functioning as an antifibrogenic agent. A detailed discussion is given of possible mechanisms involved both in the antioxidant effects of taurine, in its anti-inflammatory effects and in its role as a growth factor for leukocytes and nerve cells, which might be closely related to its role as an osmolyte important for cellular volume regulation because of the close connection between cell volume regulation and the regulation of protein synthesis as well as cellular protein degradation. While taurine supplementation alone would be expected to exert a therapeutic effect far better than negligible in patients that have been exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation, it may on theoretical grounds be expected that much better results may be obtained by using taurine as part of a multifactorial treatment strategy, where it may interact synergistically with several other nutrients, hormones or other drugs for optimizing antioxidant protection and minimizing harmful posttraumatic inflammatory reactions, while using other nutrients to optimize DNA and tissue repair processes, and using a combination of good diet, immunostimulatory hormones and perhaps other nontoxic immunostimulants (such as beta-glucans) for optimizing the recovery of antiviral and antibacterial immune functions. Similar multifactorial treatment strategies may presumably be helpful in several other disease situations (including severe infectious diseases and severe asthma) as well as for treatment of acute intoxications or acute injuries (both mechanical ones and severe burns) where severely enhanced oxidative and/or nitrative stress and/or too much secretion of vasodilatory neuropeptides from C-fibres are important parts of the pathogenetic mechanisms that may lead to the death of the patient. Some case histories (with discussion of some of those mechanisms that may have been responsible for the observed therapeutic outcome) are given for illustration of the likely validity of these concepts and their relevance both for treatment of severe infections and non-infectious inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

Melatonin attenuates decrease of protein phosphatase 2A subunit B in ischemic brain injury

Melatonin is an antioxidant that has neuroprotective functions in ischemic brain injury. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a serine and threonine phosphatase that modulates cell metabolism and cell survival. This study investigated whether melatonin modulates PP2A subunit B in focal cerebral ischemia and glutamate toxicity-induced neuronal cell death in a rat model. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed to induce permanent cerebral ischemic injury. Adult male rats were treated with vehicle or melatonin (5 mg/kg) prior to MCAO, and cerebral cortex tissues were collected 24 hr after MCAO. A proteomic approach elucidated the decrease in PP2A subunit B in MCAO-operated animals. Melatonin treatment attenuated injury-induced reductions in PP2A subunit B levels. Western blot analyses indicated that melatonin prevents injury-induced decrease in PP2A subunit B levels. In neuronal cells, glutamate toxicity induced a lowering of PP2A subunit B, while melatonin treatment attenuated the glutamate exposure-induced decreases in PP2A subunit B. These results suggest that the maintenance of PP2A subunit B by melatonin in ischemic injury is critical to the neuroprotective function of melatonin during neuronal cell damage.

Melatonin prevents down-regulation of astrocytic phosphoprotein PEA-15 in ischemic brain injury

Melatonin functions as a free-radical scavenger and has a neuroprotective effect against ischemic brain damage. PEA-15 (phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes 15) regulates various cellular processes including cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated whether melatonin regulates the levels of PEA-15 and the two phosphorylated forms of PEA-15 (Ser 104 and Ser 116) in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced injury model and neuronal cells exposed to glutamate. Adult male rats were treated with vehicle or melatonin (5 mg/kg) prior to MCAO, and cerebral cortex tissues were collected 24 h after MCAO. PEA-15 levels after ischemic brain injury were monitored using a proteomic approach. Melatonin pretreatment prevented the ischemic injury-induced reduction in PEA-15 levels. Moreover, Western blot analysis demonstrated that melatonin attenuated the ischemic injury-induced reduction in PEA-15, phospho-PEA-15 (Ser 104), and phospho-PEA-15 (Ser 116) levels. Neuronal cells exposed to glutamate showed decreased expression of PEA-15, phospho-PEA-15 (Ser 104), and phospho-PEA-15 (Ser 116), while melatonin pretreatment prevented the glutamate toxicity-induced decreases in the levels of these proteins. The reduction in the levels of phospho-PEA-15 proteins indicates the inhibition of anti-apoptotic function of PEA-15. Together, in vivo and in vitro results suggest that melatonin protects neurons against ischemic injury by maintaining levels of phospho-PEA-15 proteins.

Quantitative neuroproteomics of an in vivo rodent model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury reveals a temporal regulation of novel pathophysiological molecular markers

Cerebral ischemia or stroke, an acute neurological injury lacking an effective therapy, is the second leading cause of death globally. The unmet need in stroke research is to identify viable targets and to understand their interplay during the temporal evolution of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Here we report a temporal signature of the ischemic hemisphere revealed by the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based 2D-LC-MS/MS strategy in an in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of focal cerebral I/R injury. To recapitulate clinical stroke, two hours of MCAO was followed by 0, 4, and 24 h of reperfusion to capture ischemia with an acute and subacute durations of reperfusion injury. The subsequent iTRAQ experiment identified 2242 proteins from the ischemic hemisphere with <1.0% false discovery rate. Data mining revealed that (1) about 2.7% of detected proteins were temporally perturbed having an involvement in the energy metabolism (Pygb, Atp5b), glutamate excitotoxicity (Slc1a3, Glud1), neuro-inflammation (Tf, C3, Alb), and cerebral plasticity (Gfap, Vim, Gap43); (2) astrocytes participated actively in the neurometabolic coupling underlining the importance of a cerebro-protective rather than a neuro-protective approach; and (3) hyper-acute yet progressive opening of the blood brain barrier (BBB), accompanied by stimulation of an innate immune response and late activation of a regenerative response, which provides an extended therapeutic window for intervention. Several regulated proteins (Caskin1, Shank3, Kpnb1, Uchl1, Mtap6, Epb4.1l1, Apba1, and Ube1x) novel in the context of stroke were also discovered. In conclusion, our result supports a dynamic multitarget therapy rather than the traditional approach of a unilateral and sustained modulation of a single target to address the phasic regulation of an ischemic proteome.

Peroxiredoxin 6: a bifunctional enzyme with glutathione peroxidase and phospholipase A₂ activities

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is the prototype and the only mammalian 1-Cys member of the Prdx family. Major differences from 2-Cys Prdxs include the use of glutathione (GSH) instead of thioredoxin as the physiological reductant, heterodimerization with πGSH S-transferase as part of the catalytic cycle, and the ability either to reduce the oxidized sn-2 fatty acyl group of phospholipids (peroxidase activity) or to hydrolyze the sn-2 ester (alkyl) bond of phospholipids (phospholipase A(2) [PLA(2)] activity). The bifunctional protein has separate active sites for peroxidase (C47, R132, H39) and PLA(2) (S32, D140, H26) activities. These activities are dependent on binding of the protein to phospholipids at acidic pH and to oxidized phospholipids at cytosolic pH. Prdx6 can be phosphorylated by MAP kinases at T177, which markedly increases its PLA(2) activity and broadens its pH-activity spectrum. Prdx6 is primarily cytosolic but also is targeted to acidic organelles (lysosomes, lamellar bodies) by a specific targeting sequence (amino acids 31-40). Oxidant stress and keratinocyte growth factor are potent regulators of Prdx6 gene expression. Prdx6 has important roles in both antioxidant defense based on its ability to reduce peroxidized membrane phospholipids and in phospholipid homeostasis based on its ability to generate lysophospholipid substrate for the remodeling pathway of phospholipid synthesis.

The use of high-dose melatonin in liver resection is safe: first clinical experience

Experimental data suggest that melatonin decreases inflammatory changes after major liver resection, thus positively influencing the postoperative course. To assess the safety of a preoperative single dose of melatonin in patients undergoing major liver resection, a randomized controlled double-blind pilot clinical trial with two parallel study arms was designed at the Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg. A total of 307 patients, who were referred for liver surgery, were screened. One hundred and thirteen patients, for whom a major liver resection (≥3 segments) was scheduled, were eligible. Sixty-three eligible patients refused to participate, and therefore, 50 patients were randomized. A preoperative single dose of melatonin (50 mg/kg BW) dissolved in 250 mL of milk was administered through the gastric tube after the intubation for general anesthesia. Controls were given the same amount of microcrystalline cellulose. Primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints were postoperative complications. Melatonin was effectively absorbed with serum concentrations of 1142.8 ± 7.2 ng/mL (mean ± S.E.M.) versus 0.3 ± 7.8 ng/mL in controls (P < 0.0001). Melatonin treatment resulted in lower postoperative transaminases over the study period (P = 0.6). There was no serious adverse event in patients after melatonin treatment. A total of three infectious complications occurred in either group. A total of eight noninfectious complications occurred in five control patients, whereas three noninfectious complications occurred in three patients receiving preoperative melatonin (P = 0.3). There was a trend toward shorter ICU stay and total hospital stay after melatonin treatment. Therefore, a single preoperative enteral dose of melatonin is effectively absorbed and is safe and well tolerated in patients undergoing major liver surgery.

Neuroproteomics: a biochemical means to discriminate the extent and modality of brain injury

Diagnosis and treatment of stroke and traumatic brain injury remain significant health care challenges to society. Patient care stands to benefit from an improved understanding of the interactive biochemistry underlying neurotrauma pathobiology. In this study, we assessed the power of neuroproteomics to contrast biochemical responses following ischemic and traumatic brain injuries in the rat. A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was employed in groups of 30-min and 2-h focal neocortical ischemia with reperfusion. Neuroproteomes were assessed via tandem cation-anion exchange chromatography-gel electrophoresis, followed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. MCAO results were compared with those from a previous study of focal contusional brain injury employing the same methodology to characterize homologous neocortical tissues at 2 days post-injury. The 30-min MCAO neuroproteome depicted abridged energy production involving pentose phosphate, modulated synaptic function and plasticity, and increased chaperone activity and cell survival factors. The 2-h MCAO data indicated near complete loss of ATP production, synaptic dysfunction with degraded cytoarchitecture, more conservative chaperone activity, and additional cell survival factors than those seen in the 30-min MCAO model. The TBI group exhibited disrupted metabolism, but with retained malate shuttle functionality. Synaptic dysfunction and cytoarchitectural degradation resembled the 2-h MCAO group; however, chaperone and cell survival factors were more depressed following TBI. These results underscore the utility of neuroproteomics for characterizing interactive biochemistry for profiling and contrasting the molecular aspects underlying the pathobiological differences between types of brain injuries.

Involvement of stathmin 1 in the neurotrophic effects of PACAP in PC12 cells

Rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells have been widely used to investigate the neurotrophic activities of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP). In particular, PACAP has been shown to promote differentiation and to inhibit apoptosis of PC12 cells. In order to identify the mechanisms mediating these effects, we sought for proteins that are phosphorylated upon PACAP treatment. High-performance liquid chromatography and 2D gel electrophoresis analysis, coupled with mass spectrometry, revealed that stathmin 1 is strongly phosphorylated within only 5 min of exposure to PACAP. Western blot experiments confirmed that PACAP induced a robust phosphorylation of stathmin 1 in a time-dependent manner. On the other hand, PACAP decreased stathmin 1 gene expression. Investigations of the signaling mechanisms known to be activated by PACAP revealed that phosphorylation of stathmin 1 was mainly mediated through the protein kinase A and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Blockage of stathmin 1 expression with small interfering RNA did not affect PC12 cell differentiation induced by PACAP but reduced the ability of the peptide to inhibit caspase 3 activity and significantly decreased its neuroprotective action. Taken together, these data demonstrate that stathmin 1 is involved in the neurotrophic effect of PACAP in PC12 cells.

Melatonin signaling and cell protection function

Besides its well-known regulatory role on circadian rhythm, the pineal gland hormone melatonin has other biological functions and a distinct metabolism in various cell types and peripheral tissues. In different tissues and organs, melatonin has been described to act as a paracrine and also as an intracrine and autocrine agent with overall homeostatic functions and pleiotropic effects that include cell protection and prosurvival factor. These latter effects, documented in a number of in vitro and in vivo studies, are sustained through both receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms that control detoxification and stress response genes, thus conferring protection against a number of xenobiotics and endobiotics produced by acute and chronic noxious stimuli. Redox-sensitive components are included in the cell protection signaling of melatonin and in the resulting transcriptional response that involves the control of NF-κB, AP-1, and Nrf2. By these pathways, melatonin stimulates the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes, acting in turn as a glutathione system enhancer. A further and converging mechanism of cell protection by this indoleamine described in different models seems to lie in the control of damage and signaling function of mitochondria that involves decreased production of reactive oxygen species and activation of the antiapoptotic and redox-sensitive element Bcl2. Recent evidence suggests that upstream components in this mitochondrial route include the calmodulin pathway with its central role in melatonin signaling and the survival-promoting component of MAPKs, ERK1/2. In this review article, we will discuss these and other molecular aspects of melatonin signaling relevant to cell protection and survival mechanisms.

Tissue proteomics in atherosclerosis: elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases

Atherosclerosis is a disease with higher levels of mortality in developed countries. Comprehension of the molecular mechanisms can yield very useful information in clinics for prevention, diagnosis and recovery monitoring. Proteomics represents an ideal methodology for this purpose, as proteins constitute the effectors of the different biological processes running during pathogenesis. To date, studies in atherosclerosis have been mainly focused on the search for plasma biomarkers. However, tissue proteomics allows going deeper into tissue secretomes, arterial layers or particular cells of interest, which, in turn, constitutes a more direct approximation to in vivo operating mechanisms. The aim of this review is to report latest advances in tissue proteomics in atherosclerosis and related diseases (e.g., aortic stenosis and ischemic injury).