2. Academic Validation
  3. Harmine promotes axon regeneration through enhancing glucose metabolism

Harmine promotes axon regeneration through enhancing glucose metabolism

  • J Biol Chem. 2025 Feb 2:108254. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2025.108254.
Ruixuan Liu 1,  Bing Zhou 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
  • 2 Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; Interdisciplinary Innovation Institute of Medicine and Engineering Interdisciplinary, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China. Electronic address: zhoub2@hotmail.com.
PMID: 39904483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2025.108254
Abstract

Axon regeneration requires a substantial mitochondrial energy supply. However, injured mature neurons often fail to regenerate due to their inability to meet these elevated energy demands. Our findings indicate that harmine compensates for the energy deficit following axonal injury by enhancing the coupling between glucose metabolism and mitochondrial homeostasis, thereby promoting axon regeneration. Notably, harmine facilitates mitochondrial biogenesis and enhances Mitophagy, ensuring efficient mitochondrial turnover and energy supply. Thus, harmine plays a crucial role in enhancing glucose metabolism to maintain mitochondrial function, demonstrating significant potential in treating mature neuronal axon injuries and sciatic nerve injuries.

Keywords

axon regeneration; energy supply; glucose metabolism; harmine; metabolic coupling; mitochondrial function; neuron.

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