Multi-faceted role of melatonin in neuroprotection and amelioration of tau aggregates in alzheimer's disease

TitleMulti-faceted role of melatonin in neuroprotection and amelioration of tau aggregates in alzheimer's disease
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsBalmik, AAnkur, Chinnathambi, S
JournalJournal of Alzheimers Disease
Volume62
Issue4
Pagination1481-1493
Date PublishedMAY
ISSN1387-2877
KeywordsAlzheimer's disease, hyperphosphorylation, melatonin, mitochondria, Protein aggregation, tau protein
Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the major age related neurodegenerative diseases whose pathology arises due to the presence of two distinct protein aggregates, viz., amyloid-beta plaques in extracellular matrix and tau neurofibrillary tangles in neurons. Multiple factors play a role in AD pathology, which includes familial mutations, oxidative stress, and post-translational modifications. Melatonin is an endocrine hormone, secreted during darkness, derived from tryptophan, and produced mainly by the pineal gland. It is an amphipathic molecule, which makes it suitable to cross not only blood-brain barrier, but also to enter several other subcellular compartments like mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. In this context, the neuroprotective effect of melatonin may be attributed to its role as an antioxidant. Melatonin's pleiotropic function as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent has been widely studied. However, its direct effect on the aggregation of tau and amyloid-beta needs to be explored. Furthermore, an important aspect of its function is its ability to regulate the process of phosphorylation of tau by affecting the function of kinases and phosphatases. In this review, we are focusing on the pleiotropic function of melatonin on the aspect of its neuroprotective function in tau pathology, which includes antioxidant function, regulation of enzymes, including kinases and enzymes involved in free radical scavenging and mitochondrial protection.

DOI10.3233/JAD-170900
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)3.731
Divison category: 
Biochemical Sciences

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