Myoglobin Mediates Autophagy of NRK-52E in Rat Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Via the Pink1/Parkin Signaling Pathway

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether myoglobin mediates the autophagy of NRK-52E via the Pink1/Parkin signaling pathway. Material/Methods: Differentially-expressed genes were selected by PCR chip analysis of the autophagy signaling pathway. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to detect the expressions of Pink1/Parkin and autophagy-related proteins in myoglobin-treated NRK-52E. LC3 double-labeled lentivirus was used to infect NRK-52E for observing autophagy. The role of myoglobin mediates autophagy was evaluated through Pink1-siRNA inhibition of the Pink1/Parkin signaling pathway. Results: Myoglobin acted on NRK-52E, caused differential expressions of Pink1, Parkin, and Beclin 1, increased apoptosis, and decreased cell viability. myoglobin increased the levels of Pink1, Beclin 1 and ATG5, decreased the levels of P62 and Parkin. The level of LC3II/LC3I showed significant elevation in NRK-52E cells at after incubated with 100 mu mol/L myoglobin. Inhibiting Pink1/Parkin signaling pathway through Pink1-siRNA could alleviate myoglobin induced apoptosis, decrease the levels of Pink, Beclin1, ATG5, LC3II/LC3I, and elevate the levels of Parkin and P62. Moreover, the autophagy spots were reduced after silencing Pink1 in myoglobin-treated NRK-52E. Conclusions: Myoglobin mediates the autophagy of NRK-52E in rat renal tubular epithelial cells via the Pink1/Parkin signaling pathway.