New Evidence for Cross Talk between Melatonin and Mitochondria Mediated by a Circadian-Compatible Interaction with Nitric Oxide |
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| Authors: | Paolo Sarti Maria Chiara Magnifico Fabio Altieri Daniela Mastronicola Marzia Arese |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy; E-Mails: (M.C.M.); (F.A.); (M.A.);2.CNR Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Rome 00185, Italy; E-Mail: |
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| Abstract: | Extending our previous observations, we have shown on HaCat cells that melatonin, at ~10−9 M concentration, transiently raises not only the expression of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA, but also the nNOS protein synthesis and the nitric oxide oxidation products, nitrite and nitrate. Interestingly, from the cell bioenergetic point of view, the activated NO-related chemistry induces a mild decrease of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) efficiency, paralleled by a depression of the mitochondrial membrane potential. The OXPHOS depression is apparently balanced by glycolysis. The mitochondrial effects described have been detected only at nanomolar concentration of melatonin and within a time window of a few hours’ incubation; both findings compatible with the melatonin circadian cycle. |
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| Keywords: | nitric oxide cell bioenergetics respiratory chain circadian rhythm cell culture Warburg effect reactive oxygen nitrogen species |
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