Melatonin induces autophagy in neuroblastoma by alleviating Pak2‑mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress.

ABSTRACT: Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, remains challenging to treat due to limited therapeutic efficacy and poor prognosis. Emerging evidence highlights the critical roles of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy in cancer progression. The present study investigated the therapeutic potential of melatonin in neuroblastoma and its underlying mechanisms. Using Neuro‑2a (N2a) cells, it demonstrated that melatonin alleviated ER stress by upregulating ER chaperones glucose‑regulated protein (GRP)78 and GRP94 and the pro‑apoptotic protein CHOP, while enhancing autophagic activity. Western blotting revealed increased LC3‑II/I ratios, elevated autophagy‑related protein 5 and Beclin1 levels, and reduced p62 expression, indicating autophagy induction. Immu

SUBMITTER: Qiu QQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12750047 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature