Open Access

Mitochondrial calcium uniporter promotes mitophagy by regulating the PINK1/Parkin pathway in caerulein‑treated pancreatic ductal epithelial cells in vitro

  • Authors:
    • Yu Lei
    • Hui-Ying Yang
    • Nuo Meng
    • Ying-Ying Qin
    • Meng-Tao Xu
    • Xue-Lian Xiang
    • Li Liu
    • Guo-Du Tang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 19, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12435
  • Article Number: 147
  • Copyright: © Lei et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is a major protein for the uptake of mitochondrial calcium to regulate intracellular energy metabolism, including processes such as mitophagy. The present study investigated the effect of the MCU on mitophagy in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDECs) in acute pancreatitis (AP) in vitro. The normal human PDECs (HPDE6‑C7) were treated with caerulein (CAE) to induce AP‑like changes, with or without ruthenium red to inhibit the MCU. The mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMPs) and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels were analyzed by fluorescence. The expression levels of MCU, LC3, p62, and translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane complex subunit 20 (TOMM20), putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and Parkin were measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Mitophagy was observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that CAE increased the MCU protein expression, mitochondrial Ca2+ levels, MMP depolarization and the protein expression of mitophagy markers including the LC3II/I ratio, PINK1, and Parkin. CAE decreased the protein expression of p62 and TOMM20, and promoted the formation of mitophagosomes in HPDE6‑C7 cells. Notably, changes in these markers were reversed by inhibiting the MCU. In conclusion, an activated MCU may promote mitophagy by regulating the PINK1/Parkin pathway in PDECs in AP.
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April-2024
Volume 27 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Lei Y, Yang H, Meng N, Qin Y, Xu M, Xiang X, Liu L and Tang G: Mitochondrial calcium uniporter promotes mitophagy by regulating the PINK1/Parkin pathway in caerulein‑treated pancreatic ductal epithelial cells <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em>. Exp Ther Med 27: 147, 2024
APA
Lei, Y., Yang, H., Meng, N., Qin, Y., Xu, M., Xiang, X. ... Tang, G. (2024). Mitochondrial calcium uniporter promotes mitophagy by regulating the PINK1/Parkin pathway in caerulein‑treated pancreatic ductal epithelial cells <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em>. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 27, 147. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12435
MLA
Lei, Y., Yang, H., Meng, N., Qin, Y., Xu, M., Xiang, X., Liu, L., Tang, G."Mitochondrial calcium uniporter promotes mitophagy by regulating the PINK1/Parkin pathway in caerulein‑treated pancreatic ductal epithelial cells <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em>". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 27.4 (2024): 147.
Chicago
Lei, Y., Yang, H., Meng, N., Qin, Y., Xu, M., Xiang, X., Liu, L., Tang, G."Mitochondrial calcium uniporter promotes mitophagy by regulating the PINK1/Parkin pathway in caerulein‑treated pancreatic ductal epithelial cells <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em>". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 27, no. 4 (2024): 147. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12435