DJ-1 activates the AMPK/mTOR pathway by binding RACK1 to induce autophagy and protect the myocardium from ischemia/hypoxia injury

Myocardial Ischemic Injury is a serious threat to human health, and DJ-1 is involved in cardioprotection. The research intended to explore the effects and mechanism of DJ-1 to protect myocardium against ischemia injury. DJ-1 overexpression lentivirus vectors were transduced into the myocardium of SD rats and H9c2 cells, and an AMI model in vivo and a hypoxia model in vitro were established, respectively. Results showed that DJ-1 overexpression alleviated myocardial ischemia injury, as demonstrated by reduced the extent of myocardial infarction, improved cell survival, decreased LDH activity and CK-MB release. Furthermore, DJ-1 interacted with RACK1, activated AMPK/mTOR pathway, induced adaptive autophagy and protected the myocardium. However, RACK1 siRNA or compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) could weaken the above effect of DJ-1 on myocardium. In conclusion, DJ-1 could activate adaptive autophagy by the RACK1/AMPK/mTOR pathway and protect the myocardium against ischemia injury.