Melatonin Lowers HIF-1α Content in Human Proximal Tubular Cells (HK-2) Due to Preventing Its Deacetylation by Sirtuin 1

• Main Authors: Aleksandra Owczarek, Katarzyna B. Gieczewska, Marta Polanska, Bohdan Paterczyk, Andrzej Gruza, Katarzyna Winiarska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-01-01
• Series: Frontiers in Physiology
• Subjects: melatonin; hypoxia-inducible factor-1; sirtuin 1; hypoxia; HK-2 cells; kidney
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.572911/full

Although melatonin is widely known for its nephroprotective properties, there are no reports clearly pointing at its impact on the activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), the main mediator of metabolic responses to hypoxia, in kidneys. The aim of the present study was to elucidate how melatonin affects the expression of the regulatory subunit HIF-1α in renal proximal tubules. HK-2 cells, immortalized human proximal tubular cells, were cultured under hypoxic conditions (1% O2). Melatonin was applied at 100 μM concentration. Protein and mRNA contents were determined by Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. HIF-1α acetylation level was established by means of immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot. Melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 localization in HK-2 cells was visualized using immunofluorescence confocal analysis. It was found that melatonin in HK-2 cells (1) lowered HIF-1α protein, but not mRNA, content; (2) attenuated expression of HIF-1 target genes; (3) increased HIF-1α acetylation level; and (4) diminished sirtuin 1 expression (both protein and mRNA). Sirtuin 1 involvement in the regulation of HIF-1α level was confirmed applying cells with silenced Sirt1 gene. Moreover, the presence of membrane MT1 and MT2 receptors was identified in HK-2 cells and their ligand, ramelteon, turned out to mimic melatonin action on both HIF-1α and sirtuin 1 levels. Thus, it is concluded that the mechanism of melatonin-evoked decline in HIF-1α content in renal proximal tubular cells involves increased acetylation of this subunit which results from the attenuated expression of sirtuin 1, an enzyme reported to deacetylate HIF-1α. This observation provides a new insight to the understanding of melatonin action in kidneys.