Mul1/Mfn2-mediated mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy support
protective effects of ginsenoside CK against cerebral
ischemia/reperfusion injury
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Mitochondrial fission-fusion dynamics and
bioenergy dysfunctions are participated in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion
(I/R) injury. Our study aims to investigate the role of Mul1-dependent
Mfn2 ubiquitination and its mediated mitochondrial dysfunctions and
explain the molecular mechanism of ginsenoside compound K (CK) targeting
Mul1 against cerebral I/R injury. Experimental Approach: We used a
combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including oxygen and glucose
deprivation/reperfusion-induced PC12 cell model and middle cerebral
artery occlusion/reperfusion-induced rat model, to mimic I/R injury. The
potential mechanisms and pharmacological effects of ginsenoside CK on
mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy were evaluated by Mul1 knockdown
and pharmacological antagonism study using a series of experiments. Key
Results: I/R injury stimuli upregulated the binding of Mul1 with Mfn2 to
regulate Mfn2 ubiquitination and degradation, which resulted in
increased mitochondrial fission, bioenergy dysfunction, neuronal
apoptosis, and neurological impairment. Knockdown of Mul1 exerted
beneficial effect on cerebral I/R-induced neuronal death by abolishing
mitochondrial fission, mitophagy, and bioenergy dysfunction. More
importantly, ginsenoside CK mainly inhibited Mul1 expression to reduce
Mfn2 ubiquitination and mitochondrial translocation of DRP1, thereby
inhibiting mitochondrial fission, mitophagy and mitochondrial apoptosis
against cerebral I/R injury in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Conclusions and Implications: These data for the first time explain
molecular basis of the Mul-dependent mitochondrial dysfunctions during
I/R damages and provide the evidence that ginsenoside CK may be a
promising therapeutic agent against cerebral I/R injury by targeting
Mul1/Mfn2-mediated mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy.