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Boutin JA, Kennaway DJ, Jockers R. Melatonin: Facts, Extrapolations and Clinical Trials. Biomolecules 2023; 13:943. [PMID: 37371523 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a fascinating molecule that has captured the imagination of many scientists since its discovery in 1958. In recent times, the focus has changed from investigating its natural role as a transducer of biological time for physiological systems to hypothesized roles in virtually all clinical conditions. This goes along with the appearance of extensive literature claiming the (generally) positive benefits of high doses of melatonin in animal models and various clinical situations that would not be receptor-mediated. Based on the assumption that melatonin is safe, high doses have been administered to patients, including the elderly and children, in clinical trials. In this review, we critically review the corresponding literature, including the hypotheses that melatonin acts as a scavenger molecule, in particular in mitochondria, by trying not only to contextualize these interests but also by attempting to separate the wheat from the chaff (or the wishful thinking from the facts). We conclude that most claims remain hypotheses and that the experimental evidence used to promote them is limited and sometimes flawed. Our review will hopefully encourage clinical researchers to reflect on what melatonin can and cannot do and help move the field forward on a solid basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Boutin
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, University of Normandy, INSERM U1239, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - D J Kennaway
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide Health and Medical Science Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - R Jockers
- Institut Cochin, Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, 75014 Paris, France
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Xia Y, Zhang Q, Ye Y, Wu X, He F, Peng Y, Yin Y, Ren W. Melatonergic signalling instructs transcriptional inhibition of IFNGR2 to lessen interleukin‐1β‐dependent inflammation. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e716. [PMID: 35184395 PMCID: PMC8858632 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotransmitters (e.g., neurotransmitters and neuromodulators) could orchestrate diverse immune responses; however, the elaborated mechanism by which melatonergic activation governs inflammation remains less defined. Methods Primary macrophages, various cell lines, and Pasteurella multocida (PmCQ2)‐infected mice were respectively used to illustrate the influence of melatonergic signalling on inflammation in vitro and in vivo. A series of methods (e.g., RNA‐seq, metabolomics, and genetic manipulation) were conducted to reveal the mechanism whereby melatonergic signalling reduces macrophage inflammation. Results Here, we demonstrate that melatonergic activation substantially lessens interleukin (IL)‐1β‐dependent inflammation. Treatment of macrophages with melatonin rewires metabolic program, as well as remodels signalling pathways which depends on interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 7. Mechanistically, melatonin acts via membrane receptor (MT) 1 to increase heat shock factor (Hsf) 1 expression through lowering the inactive glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3) β, thereby transcriptionally inhibiting interferon (IFN)‐γ receptor (IFNGR) 2 and ultimately causing defective canonical signalling events [Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2‐signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1‐IRF7] and lower IL‐1β production in macrophages. Moreover, we find that melatonin amplifies host protective responses to PmCQ2 infection‐induced pneumonia. Conclusions Our conceptual framework provides potential therapeutic targets to prevent and/or treat inflammatory diseases associating with excessive IL‐1β production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry College of Animal Science South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
| | - Qingzhuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry College of Animal Science South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
| | - Yuyi Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry College of Animal Science South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry College of Animal Science South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
| | - Fang He
- College of Veterinary Medicine Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Yuanyi Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Chinese Academy of Sciences Changsha China
| | - Wenkai Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry College of Animal Science South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
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Boutin JA. [Melatonin: A short clarification for the over-enthusiasts]. Med Sci (Paris) 2022; 38:89-95. [PMID: 35060893 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2021115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a naturally occurring molecule derived from tryptophan. Melatonin is a key player in relaying the circadian rhythm between our environment and our body. It has also a key role in rhythming the seasons (more production during long nights and less during short ones) as well as in the reproduction cycles of the mammals. Melatonin is often and surprisingly presented as a molecule with multiple therapeutic properties that can fix (or help to fix) many health issues, such as diseases (cancer, ageing, virus-induced affections including COVID-19, etc…) or toxicological situations (metals, venoms, chemical such as adriamycin [doxorubicin], methotrexate or paclitaxel). The mechanistics behind those wonders is still missing and this is puzzling. In the present commentary, the main well-established biological properties are presented and briefly discussed with the aim of delineating the borders between facts and wishful thinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean A Boutin
- PHARMADEV, Pharmacochimie et biologie pour le développement, UUM 152, Faculté de pharmacie, Rue des Maraîchers, 31000 Toulouse, France
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Bonnaud A, Dupré C, Legros C, Boutin JA. MT1 Receptor Signaling Pathways by Impedance Measurement. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2550:201-206. [PMID: 36180694 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2593-4_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin exerts its classical effects of relay of the circadian rhythm through two G protein-coupled receptors, MT1 and MT2. The functions attributed to melatonin are so numerous that the action of this neurohormone should be through several protein targets or through new coupled biochemistry routes at its receptors. In order to better explore and understand these melatonin-dependent activities, we enlarged the functional pathways linked to the activation of the receptors in living system. Impedance has been shown to rely on the shape-shifting capacity of receptor-associated mechanisms. Those changes elicited by an agonist lead to changes in the actual shape of the cells, and thus to their electric conductivity. The impact of those changes onto the physiology of the cells is not completely understood from a mechanistic point of view, but the measure of these changes associated with various ligands at the melatonin receptor(s) might bring new information on melatonin-dependent cell reactivity. The following chapter is a detailed account of the way impedance can be measured in MT1-experssing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Bonnaud
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Clémence Dupré
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Céline Legros
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
- Eurofins Discovery, Celle l'Evescault, France
| | - Jean A Boutin
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France.
- PHARMADEV (Pharmacochimie et biologie pour le développement), Faculté de Pharmacie, Toulouse, France.
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Ferry G, Boutin JA. Measurement of NQO2 Catalytic Activity and of Its Inhibition by Melatonin. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2550:315-321. [PMID: 36180702 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2593-4_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The third melatonin binding site MT3 turned out to be an enzyme, NQO2 (E.C. 1.6.99.2). Its catalytic activity is inhibited by melatonin with an IC50 in the 50-100 μM range. Some of the functions of melatonin at pharmacological concentrations (1 μM and above) might be explained by this inhibition capacity of melatonin at NQO2. In order to determine precisely these parameters, it is required to comprehend the basic enzymology of this enzyme. In the following chapter, we present the basic conditions of measuring NQO2 catalytic activities and inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Ferry
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Jean A Boutin
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France.
- Pharma-Dev, UMR 152, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
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Cecon E, Guillaume JL, Jockers R. Functional Investigation of Melatonin Receptor Activation by Homogenous cAMP Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2550:179-188. [PMID: 36180691 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2593-4_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is an important ubiquitous second messenger and one of the major pathways transducing the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Quantifying intracellular levels of cAMP in an accurate and high-throughput manner is, therefore, of high interest to access functional responses of GPCRs. The neurohormone melatonin is selectively recognized by two GPCRs in mammals, named MT1 and MT2. Both have an inhibitory action on intracellular cAMP levels. Here, we describe a homogeneous high-throughput-compatible methodology routinely used in our laboratory to measure cAMP levels following activation of melatonin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Cecon
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Ralf Jockers
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France.
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Legros C, Dupuis P, Ferry G, Boutin JA. Measuring Binding at the Putative Melatonin Receptor MT3. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2550:283-289. [PMID: 36180699 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2593-4_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin, (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), is a neurohormone which possesses a wide range of biological effects. The effects mediated by melatonin are in part attributed to the antioxidant properties of the molecule. For a long time, melatonin had been described as a ligand of a putative "receptor" present in mammalian brains named MT3. Several studies were thus carried out with the goal of clarifying the nature of this melatonin "receptor." The experimental setup of the binding measurements is unusual. The present chapter aims at describing this technique. This binding site was confirmed independently by several groups, and it was eventually demonstrated that MT3 was the enzyme quinone reductase 2 (NQO2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Legros
- Eurofins, Discovery, Eurofins Cerep, Celle-Levescault, France
| | - Philippe Dupuis
- Eurofins, Discovery, Eurofins Cerep, Celle-Levescault, France
| | - Gilles Ferry
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Jean A Boutin
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie & Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France.
- Pharma-Dev, UMR 152, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
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Segovia-Roldan M, Diez ER, Pueyo E. Melatonin to Rescue the Aged Heart: Antiarrhythmic and Antioxidant Benefits. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:8876792. [PMID: 33791076 PMCID: PMC7984894 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8876792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aging comes with gradual loss of functions that increase the vulnerability to disease, senescence, and death. The mechanisms underlying these processes are linked to a prolonged imbalance between damage and repair. Damaging mechanisms include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronodisruption, inflammation, and telomere attrition, as well as genetic and epigenetic alterations. Several endogenous tissue repairing mechanisms also decrease. These alterations associated with aging affect the entire organism. The most devastating manifestations involve the cardiovascular system and may lead to lethal cardiac arrhythmias. Together with structural remodeling, electrophysiological and intercellular communication alterations during aging predispose to arrhythmic events. Despite the knowledge on repairing mechanisms in the cardiovascular system, effective antiaging strategies able to reduce the risk of arrhythmias are still missing. Melatonin is a promising therapeutic candidate due to its pleiotropic actions. This indoleamine regulates chronobiology and endocrine physiology. Of relevance, melatonin is an antiaging, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antiarrhythmic, immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative molecule. This review focuses on the protective effects of melatonin on age-induced cardiac functional and structural alterations, potentially becoming a new fountain of youth for the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Segovia-Roldan
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS), I3A, Universidad de Zaragoza, IIS Aragón and CIBER-BBN, Spain
| | | | - Esther Pueyo
- Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS), I3A, Universidad de Zaragoza, IIS Aragón and CIBER-BBN, Spain
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