L-arginine alleviates heat stress-induced mammary gland injury through modulating CASTOR1-mTORC1 axis mediated mitochondrial homeostasis

As global warming intensifies, extreme heat is becoming increasingly frequent. These extreme heatwaves have decreased the milk production of dairy animals such as cows and goats and have caused significant damage to the entire dairy industry. It is known that heat stress (HS) can induce the apoptosis and autophagy of mammary epithelial cells (MECs), leading to a decrease in lactating MECs. L-arginine can effectively attenuate HS-induced decreases in milk yield, but the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we found that HS upregulated the arginine sensor CASTOR1 in mouse MECs. Arginine activated mTORC1 activity through CASTOR1 and promoted mitochondrial biogenesis through the mTORC1/PGC-1α/NRF1 pathway. Moreover, arginine inhibited mitophagy through the CASTOR1/PINK1/Parkin pathway. Mitochondrial homeostasis ensures ATP synthesis and a stable cellular redox state for MECs under HS, further alleviating HS-induced damage and improving the lactation performance of MECs. In conclusion, these findings reveal the molecular mechanisms by which L-arginine relieves HS-induced mammary gland injury, and suggest that the intake of arginine-based feeds or feed additives is a promising method to increase the milk yield of dairy animals in extreme heat conditions.