Trilobatin, a naturally occurring GPR158 ligand, alleviates
depressive-like behavior by promoting mitophagy
Abstract
Abstract Background and Purpose: G-protein-coupled receptor (GPR158), an
orphan receptor, is highly expressed in the medial prefrontal cortex in
(mPFC) and identified as a novel therapeutic target for treating
depression. Trilobatin (TLB) is a naturally-occurring food additive with
potent neuroprotective properties. However, its pharmacological effects
and molecular mechanisms against depression remains unknown. We explored
whether TLB alleviates depression by targeting GPR158. Experimental
Approach: Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression
mice model was used to explore antidepressant-like effect of TLB.
GPR158-deficent mice were treated with TLB to determine whether TLB
exerts its antidepressant-like effect by targeting GPR158. Key Results:
TLB effectively alleviated CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior in
mice. Mitophagy was contributed to the antidepressant-like effect of
TLB, as evidenced by qRT-PCR array. As anticipated, TLB up-regulated
autophagy associated protein expression of PFC in mice and restored
mitochondrial dynamic balance, further inhibiting oxidative stress, as
reflected by reducing ROS generation and increasing antioxidant enzymes.
Mechanistically, GPR158 deficiency also up-regulated autophagy
associated proteins expression and rejuvenated mitochondrial dynamic,
further attenuating depressive-like behavior in response to CUMS insult.
Most importantly, TLB directly bound to GPR158 and decreased its protein
expression. Encouragingly, the promotive effect of TLB on mitophagy and
its antidepressant-like effect were enhanced in GPR158-deficent mice.
Conclusions and Implications: Our findings not only highlight
GPR158-mediated mitophagy as a crucial pharmacological target for
managing depression, but also reveal a new-found pharmacological
property of TLB: serving as a novel naturally-occurring ligand of GPR158
to safeguard depression from oxidative stress by promoting mitophagy.