Nuclear Sirtuins Research Articles

333 - Regulation of human sirtuin deacylase activity by cellular oxidants

Sirtuins catalyze the NAD+-dependent deacylation of acyl-lysine residues, producing O-acyl-ADP-ribose and nicotinamide. Humans encode seven sirtuins (Sirt1-7) that are considered pro-survival proteins, and decreased sirtuin activity promotes aging-related diseases, including type-II diabetes. However, how sirtuin activity is inhibited during aging is largely unknown. We are defining the physiological mechanisms that regulate sirtuin activity by post-translational modifications, with the long-term goal to exploit these mechanisms to prevent diseases associated with decreased sirtuin activity. As oxidative stress increases with age, our current focus is on post-translational regulation of sirtuin activity by cellular oxidants. Here, we show that Sirt1 can be nitrosated by S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Colorimetric Zn2+ loss and circular dichroism assays revealed Sirt1 nitrosation correlated with Zn2+-release and loss of α-helical structure, suggesting the target of nitrosation is the Zn2+-tetrathiolate conserved among sirtuins. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested Zn2+ loss due to Sirt1 nitrosation results in repositioning of the tetrathiolate subdomain away from the rest of the catalytic domain, disrupting NAD+and acetyl-lysine substrate binding. Furthermore, Sirt1 nitrosation was reversed upon exposure to thiol-based reducing-agents, resulting in restoration of Sirt1 activity. This restoration was dependent on the presence of Zn2+, consistent with nitrosation of the Zn2+-tetrathiolate as the source of Sirt1 inhibition. More recently, we found that nuclear sirtuins (Sirt1, Sirt2, Sirt6) are more broadly inhibited by nitric oxide (NO) and NO-derived oxidants, and are resistant to inhibition by oxidized glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Surprisingly, mitochondrial sirtuins (Sirt3 and Sirt5) displayed selective inhibition by peroxynitrite and were insensitive to all other assayed oxidants. These data suggest that, despite conservation of the Zn2+-tetrathiolate across all sirtuins, nitrosation does not universally inhibit sirtuins. Additionally, we observed a concentration- and time-dependent increase in Sirt6 expression in pancreatic beta cells in response to NO, suggesting that NO modulates Sirt6 expression in beta cells under inflammatory conditions.

Loss of mitochondrial SIRT4 shortens lifespan and leads to a decline in physical activity

Mitochondrial mechanisms and pathways have recently emerged as critical determinants of organismal aging. While nuclear sirtuins have been shown to regulate aging, whether mitochondrial sirtuins do so is still unclear. Here, we report that mitochondrial dSirt4 mediates organismal aging. We establish that absence of dSirt4 leads to reduced lifespan independent of dietary inputs. Further by assaying locomotion, a key correlate of aging, we demonstrate that dSirt4 null flies are severely physically impaired with a significant reduction in locomotion. In summary, we report that mitochondrial dSirt4 is a key determinant of longevity and its loss leads to early aging.

Inhibition of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1 Enhances Gene Expression of Selected Sirtuins and APP Cleaving Enzymes in Amyloid Beta Cytotoxicity

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and sirtuins (SIRTs) are involved in the regulation of cell metabolism, transcription, and DNA repair. Alterations of these enzymes may play a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our previous results indicated that amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and inflammation led to activation of PARP1 and cell death. This study focused on a role of PARP1 in the regulation of gene expression for SIRTs and beta-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) cleaving enzymes under Aβ42 oligomers (AβO) toxicity in pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) in culture. Moreover, the effect of endogenously liberated Aβ peptides in PC12 cells stably transfected with human gene for APP wild-type (APPwt) was analyzed. Our results demonstrated that AβO enhanced transcription of presenilins (Psen1 and Psen2), the crucial subunits of γ-secretase. Aβ peptides in APPwt cells activated expression of β-secretase (Bace1), Psen1, Psen2, and Parp1. The inhibitor of PARP1, PJ-34 in the presence of AβO upregulated transcription of α-secretase (Adam10), Psen1, and Psen2, but also Bace1. Concomitantly, PJ-34 enhanced mRNA level of nuclear Sirt1, Sirt6, mitochondrial Sirt4, and Parp3 in PC12 cells subjected to AβOs toxicity. Our data indicated that Aβ peptides through modulation of APP secretases may lead to a vicious metabolic circle, which could be responsible for maintaining Aβ at high level. PARP1 inhibition, besides activation of nuclear SIRTs and mitochondrial Sirt4 expression, enhanced transcription of enzyme(s) involved in βAPP metabolism, and this effect should be considered in its application against Aβ peptide toxicity.

Sirtuin 1 and 7 mediate resveratrol-induced recovery from hyper-anxiety in high-fructose-fed prediabetic rats.

Hyperglycaemia in diabetes is either caused by reduced availability of insulin (type 1 diabetes, T1D) or insulin resistance to the cells (type 2 diabetes, T2D). In recent years, the prevalence of T2D has increased to an alarming proportion, encompassing 95 percent of the total diabetic burden, probably due to economy-driven changes in lifestyle. Recent epidemiological studies show comorbid depression, anxiety and related mental illness. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this comorbid conditions, we used Sprague-Dawley rats on high-fructose diet for 8 weeks to induce prediabetic condition. Rats with this metabolic syndrome also showed hyper-anxiety when they were subjected to anxiety-related behavioural assays. Rats were administered with resveratrol, an activator of sirtuins, and metformin, a standard antidiabetic drug, simultaneously with fructose. We observed that resveratrol was more effective in protecting from both the metabolic (prediabetic) and affective (anxiety) disorders than metformin. Molecular studies showed that recovery was associated with the upregulation of few nuclear sirtuins that act epigenetically - Sirt 1 and 7, which were significantly attenuated in the striatum of prediabetic rats. In conclusion, our study showed that hyper-anxiety associated with prediabetic condition is ameliorated by resveratrol through modulation of sirtuins, which is more or less similar to metformin.

Nuclear DNA damage signalling to mitochondria in ageing.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of ageing, and mitochondrial maintenance may lead to increased healthspan. Emerging evidence suggests a crucial role for signalling from the nucleus to mitochondria (NM signalling) in regulating mitochondrial function and ageing. An important initiator of NM signalling is nuclear DNA damage, which accumulates with age and may contribute to the development of age-associated diseases. DNA damage-dependent NM signalling constitutes a network that includes nuclear sirtuins and controls genomic stability and mitochondrial integrity. Pharmacological modulation of NM signalling is a promising novel approach for the prevention and treatment of age-associated diseases.

SIRT4 Represses Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α Activity To Suppress Hepatic Fat Oxidation

Sirtuins are a family of protein deacetylases, deacylases, and ADP-ribosyltransferases that regulate life span, control the onset of numerous age-associated diseases, and mediate metabolic homeostasis. We have uncovered a novel role for the mitochondrial sirtuin SIRT4 in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism during changes in nutrient availability. We show that SIRT4 levels decrease in the liver during fasting and that SIRT4 null mice display increased expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) target genes associated with fatty acid catabolism. Accordingly, primary hepatocytes from SIRT4 knockout (KO) mice exhibit higher rates of fatty acid oxidation than wild-type hepatocytes, and SIRT4 overexpression decreases fatty acid oxidation rates. The enhanced fatty acid oxidation observed in SIRT4 KO hepatocytes requires functional SIRT1, demonstrating a clear cross talk between mitochondrial and nuclear sirtuins. Thus, SIRT4 is a new component of mitochondrial signaling in the liver and functions as an important regulator of lipid metabolism.

Effects of hyperglycemia and aging on nuclear sirtuins and DNA damage of mouse hepatocytes

Hyperglycemia, like aging, induces chromatin remodeling in mouse hepatocytes in comparison to normoglycemia and younger age, respectively. Changes in glucose metabolism also affect the action and expression of sirtuins, promoting changes in chromatin conformation and dynamics. Here we investigate the abundance and activity of the nuclear sirtuins Sirt1, Sirt6, and Sirt7 in mouse hepatocytes in association with specific histone acetylation, DNA damage, and the activation of nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) in hyperglycemic nonobese diabetic (NOD) and old normoglycemic BALB/c mouse strains. Higher levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α and increased expression of gluconeogenesis pathway genes are found in the hyperglycemic NOD mice. Increased Sirt6 abundance is found in the hyperglycemic NOD mice, which might increase DNA damage repair. With aging, lower Sirt1 abundance and activity, increased acetylated histone modifications and Sirt7 levels, and NOR methylation are found. Thus, whereas in normal aging cell metabolism is reduced, in the diabetic mice a compensatory mechanism may elevate Sirt1 and Sirt6 levels, increasing gluconeogenesis and DNA repair from the oxidative damage caused by hyperglycemia. Therefore understanding the regulation of epigenetic factors in diabetes and aging is crucial for the development of new therapeutic approaches that could prevent diseases and improve quality of life.

Compromised Nuclear Sirtuins Activity Sensitizes BRCA-Proficient multiple Myeloma Cells to DNA Damage Agents

AbstractAbstract 723 Background:Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal malignancy of plasma cells with hallmark genetic instability resulting in large-scale changes at diagnosis, as well as further evolution contributing to disease progression. Inhibition of DNA repair mechanisms leads to significant reduction in acquisition of new genetic changes and associated progression of MM. Mammalian sirtuins are class III NAD+-dependent deacetylases emerging as innovative proteins involved in multiple pathways, including genome maintenance. Methods:A panel of 18 MM cell lines, both sensitive and resistant to conventional and novel anti-MM therapies, was used in the study. The antitumor effect of a pan-sirtuins inhibitor, Nicotinamide (Nam), alone and combined with DNA-damaging agents, was investigated by CTG assay and Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. Mechanistic studies were performed with thymidine incorporation, Western-blotting, lentivirus-mediated shRNAs and immunofluorescence assay. Analysis of DNA DSB repair was done using chromosomally integrated reporter constructs, followed by cytometer analysis. Results:We analyzed an Affymetrix GeneChip (GSE6477) array of patient MM cells (n=162) compared with normal plasma cells, and found that transcript levels of two nuclear sirtuins (SIRT6 and SIRT7) were significantly higher in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering MM, active MM, and relapsed MM compared with normal plasma cells. Importantly, protein analysis confirmed increased nuclear levels of these deacetylases in MM cell lines, including those resistant to DNA-damaging agents (MM.1R, LR-5, Dox40), as well as in patient CD138+ MM cells compared to PBMCs from healthy donors. Next we evaluated the functional role of these Sirtuins in MM cells by using loss of function approaches with RNAi. SIRT6 and SIRT7 silencing by knockdown reduced MM cell proliferation compared with control scrambled cells, with only a modest induction of cytotoxicity. We also examined the effects of Nam on DNA-damage response signaling triggered by conventional anti-MM agents melphalan and doxorubicin. Nam treatment did not appreciably affect MM cell viability; however, pretreatment with Nam impaired DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair as well as DNA repair mechanisms triggered by conventional DNA damaging agents, evidenced by γH2AX and RPA phosphorylation, respectively. Consistent with these findings, Nam-pretreated MM cells formed fewer RAD51 foci in response to Doxorubicin and Melphalan, thereby conferring sensitivity to these agents. Importantly, this sensitizing effect was also observed in MM cells resistant to doxorubicin (RPMI-Doxo40) or melphalan (LR5), indicating that Nam increases chemosensitivity in both drug-sensitive and –resistant MM cells. Similarly, lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown of SIRT-6 and −7 sensitized MM cells to melphalan and doxorubicin. Finally, both chemical and genetic approaches improved the efficiency of DNA DSB repair mechanisms (Homologous and non-Homologous end-joining Recombination) in MM cell lines containing chromosomally integrated green fluorescent protein-based reporter constructs. Ongoing in vivo experiments are assessing how the chemical susceptibility of SIRT6 and/or 7-deficient cells can be exploited therapeutically. Conclusion:Our study demonstrates a link between nuclear sirtuins and DNA instability in MM cells, providing the basis for incorporation of inhibitors of these SIRTs into innovative anti-MM therapeutic approaches. Disclosures:Munshi:Celgene: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy.

Sub-cellular localization, expression and functions of Sirt6 during the cell cycle in HeLa cells

Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6), a mammalian Sir2 (silent information regulator-2) ortholog, is an NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase that modulates chromatin structure and genomic stability. Sirt6 knockout cells demonstrate genomic instability, and a deficiency of Sirt6 in mice leads to an aging phenotype early in life. Some nuclear sirtuins, such as Sirt7, localize to the nucleolus, and others, such as Sirt1, are mainly found in the nucleoplasm, with a minor population in the nucleolus. However, Sirt6 has been reported to be a nucleoplasmic protein that is excluded from the nucleolus. Because of the importance of a protein’s localization to its interactions and functions, we evaluated Sirt6 sub-cellular localization, expression and functions throughout the cell cycle in HeLa cells. Our results showed that during interphase, Sirt6 was mostly localized to the nucleus, although it was not absent from the nucleolus. Sirt6 was enriched in the nucleolus in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, while S phase nucleoli were almost entirely free of Sirt6. During mitosis, the Sirt6 expression level was increased, and while Sirt6 was not associated with condensed chromosomes, it partially co-localized with mitotic spindles. Cells overexpressing Sirt6 had a lower proliferation rate with a lower percentage of cells in mitosis. These findings suggest roles for Sirt6 in the nucleolus and in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle.

Sirtuins mediate mammalian metabolic responses to nutrient availability

Metabolic diseases are an increasing threat in developed countries. Dysregulation of metabolic pathways, caused by imbalances in energy homeostasis, leads to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease with devastating results for both individuals and societies. Sirtuins, a conserved family of NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase enzymes found in many species, regulate various metabolic pathways and have emerged as important sensors of energy status in mammals. The nuclear sirtuins, SIRT1, SIRT6 and SIRT7, regulate the activity of key transcription factors and cofactors of numerous metabolic pathways in almost all tissues by linking nutrient signals with the cellular responses to energy demands. The mitochondrial sirtuins, SIRT3, SIRT4 and SIRT5, regulate the activity of important mitochondrial enzymes and drive metabolic cycles in response to fasting and calorie restriction. Accumulating evidence indicates that sirtuins can be beneficial in the prevention of metabolic and age-related diseases and suggests that they can be pharmacologically activated to ameliorate such diseases. This Review describes the latest advances in the understanding of the function of sirtuins as regulators of mammalian metabolism and focuses on the role of these enzymes as mediators of nutrient availability.

Steroid boost for sirtuin research

The posttranslational reversible acetylation on the e-amino-group of lysines is an important switch in gene regulation and protein activity and has gained increasing interest in molecular biology and drug discovery in the last decade. One of the enzyme families that catalyze the cleavage of an acetyl group are the NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases, the sirtuins. The human sirtuins have seven members, Sirt1-7. Even though the biology of the sirtuins is far from being fully understood, there is already ample evidence that they may serve as future therapeutic targets. Their activity has especially been connected to processes in aging and hence, the field of potential applications for sirtuin modulators is very wide, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to cancer to diabetes [1]. Some in vivo studies with sirtuin modulators, like the potential activator resveratrol or the inhibitor AGK2, show already great promise [2,3]. Several classes of sirtuin inhibitors with diverse chemical scaffolds have been published so far, but there is lack of highly specific inhibitors for only one of the seven sirtuin isoforms. Often only Sirt1 and 2 have been tested [4]. This lack of specific inhibitors may be partly because of the lack of high-resolution sirtuin-inhibitor x-ray structures but also due to the fact that the binding of the substrate is accompanied by a structural reshuffling of the substrate pocket [5]. Sirtuin isoforms are located in different cellular compartments and permeability of the compartment's membrane for the inhibitor may be a limiting factor, especially for the mitochondrial sirtuins Sirt3-5. For a selective inhibition of nuclear and cytoplasmatic sirtuins (Sirt1-2, 6-7) this might actually be favorable. Schlicker et al. now used virtual screening and docking methods [6], an approach that has already been successfully applied for the discovery of other sirtuin inhibitors [7], to identify new isoform-specific inhibitors. Two of the newly identified lead structures for the Sirt2-specific inhibitors contain a steroid scaffold and one of them is an ester of estradiol. The steroid scaffold brings along potential disadvantages due to possible interactions with steroid receptors.As there is ample knowledge in the literaure on modifications of the steroid scaffold, this could be used to eliminate such undesired side effects in further steroid-type sirtuin inhibitors. Besides the inhibition in vitro, the authors also showed the isoform-specific inhibition of Sirt2 in cell lysates as a more physiological environment but not in living cells. This was due to the high cytotoxicity of the tested compounds but it was not clear if the cytotoxicity was a result of the Sirt2-inhibition. Nevertheless, the new findings should serve as a very good starting point for the identification of new potent and isoform-specific inhibitors. These are certainly needed for functional studies to shed light on the underlying cellular mechanisms for the different sirtuin isotypes and on their potential role as therapeutical targets or antitargets. The identification of the steroid scaffold as a sirtuin interacting structure is also very interesting for a more general point of view. It raises the question if physiological steroids may have an effect on the activity of sirtuins and further studies in that direction are awaited with great interest.

Mammalian Sirtuins and Energy Metabolism

Sirtuins are highly conserved NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases and/or ADP-ribosyltransferases that can extend the lifespan of several lower model organisms including yeast, worms and flies. The seven mammalian sirtuins, SIRT1 to SIRT7, have emerged as key metabolic sensors that directly link environmental signals to mammalian metabolic homeostasis and stress response. Recent studies have shed light on the critical roles of sirtuins in mammalian energy metabolism in response to nutrient signals. This review focuses on the involvement of two nuclear sirtuins, SIRT1 and SIRT6, and three mitochondrial sirtuins, SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5, in regulation of diverse metabolic processes.

Sirtuins and inflammation: Friends or foes?

Lysine acetylation/deacetylation has been recognized as an important posttranslational modification regulating numerous cellular processes. Sirtuins represent novel players in these complex regulatory circuits. These NAD-dependent lysine-deacetylases have attracted much interest based on their role in the regulation of lifespan in lower organisms, and their capacity to interfere with cell growth, proliferation and survival in response to stress. Their absolute requirement for NAD suggests that these enzymes may represent an important molecular link between metabolism and several human disorders such as diabetes and cancer. More recently, the identification of several transcription factors known to play a role in the immune system as sirtuin substrates has suggested that this family of enzymes may also play an important role in the regulation of inflammation, a pathological situation with clear links to metabolism and aging in humans. We review herein the possible links between nuclear sirtuins and the regulation of an immune response, and discuss the possible strategies that may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treat inflammation by targeting sirtuin activity.

SIRT3 interacts with the daf-16 homolog FOXO3a in the Mitochondria, as well as increases FOXO3a Dependent Gene expression

Cellular longevity is a complex process relevant to age-related diseases including but not limited to chronic illness such as diabetes and metabolic syndromes. Two gene families have been shown to play a role in the genetic regulation of longevity; the Sirtuin and FOXO families. It is also established that nuclear Sirtuins interact with and under specific cellular conditions regulate the activity of FOXO gene family proteins. Thus, we hypothesize that a mitochondrial Sirtuin (SIRT3) might also interact with and regulate the activity of the FOXO proteins. To address this we used HCT116 cells overexpressing either wild-type or a catalytically inactive dominant negative SIRT3. For the first time we establish that FOXO3a is also a mitochondrial protein and forms a physical interaction with SIRT3 in mitochondria. Overexpression of a wild-type SIRT3 gene increase FOXO3a DNA-binding activity as well as FOXO3a dependent gene expression. Biochemical analysis of HCT116 cells over expressing the deacetylation mutant, as compared to wild-type SIRT3 gene, demonstrated an overall oxidized intracellular environment, as monitored by increase in intracellular superoxide and oxidized glutathione levels. As such, we propose that SIRT3 and FOXO3a comprise a potential mitochondrial signaling cascade response pathway.