Resistin destroys mitochondrial biogenesis by inhibiting the PGC-1α/ NRF1/TFAM signaling pathway

Mitochondrial biogenesis deficits in neuronal cells are associated with the pathological progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Resistin, a secretory adipocytokine, possesses multiple physiological functions in diverse cells and tissues. However, the effects of resistin on mitochondrial biogenesis in neuronal cells are still elusive. In the current study, we found that resistin caused a sustainable decrease in mitochondrial contents, including mitochondrial DNA/nuclear DNA ratio (mtDNA/nDNA), mitochondrial mass, cytochrome b protein expression, and cytochrome c oxidase activity, which were correlated with “loss of mitochondrial function” including reduced mitochondrial respiration rate and ATP production in human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Indeed, resistin treatment destroyed the expression of peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma-coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as its downstream target genes including nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Notably, overexpression of PGC-1α could completely rescue mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial deficits induced by resistin. Mechanistically, inhibition of 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was shown to mediate the inhibitory effects of resistin on mitochondrial biogenesis. •Resistin caused impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis in neuronal cells.•Resistin induced loss of mitochondrial function by reducing respiration rate and ATP.•Resistin inhibited the PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM pathway.•PGC-1α abolished the inhibitory effects of resistin in mitochondrial biogenesis.