Sirtuins: critical regulators at the crossroads between cancer and aging

Emergence of CpG-cluster blanket methylation in aged tissues: a novel signature of epigenomic aging

Aging is accompanied by widespread DNA methylation changes across the genome. While age-related methylation studies typically focus on individual CpGs, cluster analysis provides more robust data and improved interpretation. We characterized age-associated CpG-cluster methylation changes in mouse spleens, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and livers. We identified a novel signature termed blanket methylations (BMs), fully methylated CpG clusters absent in young tissues but appearing in aged tissues. BM formation was locus- and cell-dependent, with minimal overlap among tissues. Statistical analysis, heterogeneity assessment, and random modeling demonstrated that BMs arise through nonrandom mechanisms and correlate with accelerated aging. Notably, BMs appeared in chronologically young mice with progeroid or disease-driven aging, including in 4-month-old Zmpste24-/- (lifespan ∼5 months) and 3-month-old Huntington's disease model mice (lifespan ∼4 months). The detection of BMs in purified CD4+ T cells demonstrated that their occurrence is intrinsic to aging cells rather than a result of infiltration from other tissues. Further investigation revealed age-related downregulation of zinc-finger-CxxC-domain genes, including Tet1 and Tet3, which protect CpG islands from methylation. Importantly, TET1 or TET3 depletion induced BM formation, linking their loss to age-associated methylation drift. These findings establish BMs as a robust marker of epigenomic aging, providing insight into age-related methylation changes.

Computational Design and Optimization of Peptide Inhibitors for SIRT2

Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, is crucial for regulating vital physiological processes, including aging, DNA repair, and cell cycle progression. Its abnormal activity is linked to diseases such as Parkinson's disease, cancer, and metabolic disorders, making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention. While small molecule inhibitors have been studied, peptide-based inhibitors offer a promising alternative due to their selectivity and bioavailability. This study explores the effects of converting the naturally occurring cyclic inhibitor peptide of SIRT2 (S2iL5) into a non-cyclic form by replacing a residue with FAK (LYS + CF3CO-). The new peptide sequence, Tyr-His-Thr-Tyr-His-Val-FAK (LYS)-Arg-Arg-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Tyr-Cys, was modeled to confirm its stable conformation. Docking studies and MM/GBSA calculations showed that the non-cyclic peptide had a better binding free energy (-50.66 kcal/mol) compared to the cyclic S2iL5 (-49.44 kcal/mol). Further mutations generated 160,000 unique peptides, screened using a machine learning-based QSAR model. Three promising peptides (Peptide 1: YGGNNVKRRTNYYC, Peptide 2: YMGEWVKRRTNYYC, and Peptide 3: YGGNGVKRRTNYYC) were selected and further modeled. Molecular dynamics (MD) analyses demonstrated that Peptide 1 and Peptide 2 had significant potential as SIRT2 inhibitors, showing moderate stability and some structural flexibility. Their best binding free energies were -59.07 kcal/mol and -46.01 kcal/mol, respectively. The study aimed to enhance peptide flexibility and binding affinity, suggesting that optimized peptide-based inhibitors can interact effectively with SIRT2. However, further experimental validation is necessary to confirm these computational predictions and evaluate the therapeutic potential of the identified peptides.

Role of histone deacetylase inhibitors in non-neoplastic diseases

Background

Epigenetic dysregulation has been implicated in the development and progression of a variety of human diseases, but epigenetic changes are reversible, and epigenetic enzymes and regulatory proteins can be targeted using small molecules. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), as a class of epigenetic drugs, are widely used to treat various cancers and other diseases involving abnormal gene expression.

Results

Specially, HDACis have emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic effect of non-neoplastic conditions, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases and rare diseases, along with their related mechanisms. However, their clinical efficacy has been limited by drug resistance and toxicity.

Conclusions

To date, most clinical trials of HDAC inhibitors have been related to the treatment of cancer rather than the treatment of non-cancer diseases, for which experimental studies are gradually underway. Discussions regarding non-neoplastic diseases often concentrate on specific disease types. Therefore, this review highlights the development of HDACis and their potential therapeutic applications in non-neoplastic diseases, either as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs or therapies.

Cellular metabolic pathways of aging in dogs: could p53 and SIRT1 be at play?

Aging and cancer seem to be closely associated, such that cancer is generally considered a disease of the elderly in both humans and dogs. Additionally, cancer is a metabolic shift in itself towards aerobic glycolysis. Larger dog breeds with shorter lifespans, and increased glycolytic cellular metabolic rates, die of cancer more often than smaller breeds. The tumor suppressor p53 factor is a key suppressor oncogene, and the p53 pathway arrests cellular proliferation and prevents DNA mutations from accumulating during cellular stress. The p53 pathway is also associated with the control of cellular metabolism to prevent cellular metabolic shifts common to cancerous phenotypes. SIRT1 deacetylates the p53 tumor suppressor protein, downregulating p53 via effects on stability and activity during stress. Here, we used primary fibroblast cells from small and large puppies and old dogs. Using UV radiation to upregulate the p53 system (100 J/m2), control cells and UV-treated cells were used to measure aerobic and glycolytic metabolic rates using a Seahorse XFe96 oxygen flux analyzer. We also quantified p53 expression and SIRT1 concentration in canine primary fibroblasts before and after UV treatment. We demonstrate that, due to a higher p53 nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio in large breed dogs after UV treatment, p53 could have a more regulatory effect on large breed dogs' metabolism compared with smaller breeds. Thus, there may be a link between p53 upregulation and inhibition of glycolysis in large breed dogs during times of cellular stress compared with small breed dogs. However, SIRT1 concentrations decrease with age in domestic dogs of both size classes, suggesting a possible release of inhibition of p53 through the SIRT1 pathway with age. This may lead to increased incidences of cancer, especially due to the more pronounced upregulation of p53 with cellular stress.

Genetic insights into bladder cancer: the impact of SIRT1 gene polymorphism

Bladder cancer (BC) has shown a significant global health concern with distinct pathological, genetic, and epigenetic characteristics. Its prevalence is influenced by various risk factors, including age, gender, and genetic predisposition. This study investigates the association between BC and the Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) gene polymorphism rs369274325 in the Turkish population. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples and genotyping of rs369274325 polymorphism in SIRT 1 was investigated in 200 individuals (in 100 Turkish bladder cancer patients and 100 healthy individuals as the control group.) by real-time PCR. Demographic information, smoking and alcohol consumption status was analyzed by statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's Chi-square test. Smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly higher in BC patients compared to controls (p < 0.00018 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The genotypic distribution of SIRT1 rs369274325 did not show a significant difference between BC patients and controls (p = 0.5550). BC, influenced by genetic and environmental factors, has been linked to various gene mutations. SIRT1, involved in diverse physiological processes, is proposed to play a role in BC. However, our study did not find a significant association between SIRT1 rs369274325 polymorphism and BC in the Turkish population.

A revisiting of "the hallmarks of aging" in domestic dogs: current status of the literature

A progressive decline in biological function and fitness is, generally, how aging is defined. However, in 2013, a description on the "hallmarks of aging" in mammals was published, and within it, it described biological processes that are known to alter the aging phenotype. These include genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, altered intercellular communication (inflammation), and changes within the microbiome. This mini-review provides a detailed account of the progress on each of these hallmarks of aging in the domestic dog within the last 5 years. Additionally, when there are gaps in the literature between other mammalian species and dogs, I highlight the aging biomarkers that may be missing for dogs as aging models. I also argue for the importance of dog aging studies to include several breeds of dogs at differing ages and for age corrections for breeds with differing mean lifespans throughout.

Oxidative stress and the role of redox signalling in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern, underscoring a need to identify pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are derivatives of oxygen molecules that are generated during aerobic metabolism and are involved in a variety of cellular functions that are governed by redox conditions. Low levels of ROS are required for diverse processes, including intracellular signal transduction, metabolism, immune and hypoxic responses, and transcriptional regulation. However, excess ROS can be pathological, and contribute to the development and progression of chronic diseases. Despite evidence linking elevated levels of ROS to CKD development and progression, the use of low-molecular-weight antioxidants to remove ROS has not been successful in preventing or slowing disease progression. More recent advances have enabled evaluation of the molecular interactions between specific ROS and their targets in redox signalling pathways. Such studies may pave the way for the development of sophisticated treatments that allow the selective control of specific ROS-mediated signalling pathways.

Sirtuin 3 is required for the dexmedetomidine-mediated alleviation of inflammation and oxidative stress in nephritis

INTRODUCTION

Although sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is known to be involved in dexmedetomidine (DEX)-mediated alleviation of renal ischemia and reperfusion injury, the influence of the association between DEX and SIRT3 on nephritis development remains unclear. In this study, the role of SIRT3 in DEX-mediated amelioration of inflammation and oxidative stress in nephritis as well as the possible underlying mechanism were explored in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

An animal model of glomerulonephritis was generated by injecting mice with interferon-alpha (IFNα)-expressing adenoviruses, and periodic acid-Schiff staining was then used to reveal pathogenicity-related changes in the renal tissue. Additionally, human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and renal mesangial cells (RMCs) were treated with IFNα to establish cell models of inflammation in vitro.

RESULTS

DEX administration alleviated glomerulonephritis in the animal model and upregulated SIRT3 expression in the renal tissue. SIRT3 knockdown inhibited the renoprotective effects of DEX against nephritis. IFNα induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the RMCs and HEK293 cells and reduced their growth, as evidenced by the evaluation of cytokine levels (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), reactive oxygen species generation, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signal transduction, apoptotic cell proportion, and cell viability. In addition to promoting SIRT3 expression, DEX inhibited IFNα-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in these cells and promoted their viability. SIRT3 knockdown partially reversed the beneficial effects of DEX on RMCs and HEK293 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that DEX exhibits renoprotective activity during nephritis progression, protecting renal cells against inflammatory injury by promoting SIRT3 expression.

Antineoplastic activity of plant-derived compounds mediated through inhibition of histone deacetylase: a review

In the combat of treating cancer recent therapeutic approaches are focused towards enzymatic targets as they occupy a pivotal participation in the cascade of oncogenesis and malignancy. There are several enzymes that modulate the epigenetic pathways and chromatin structure related to cancer mutation. Among several epigenetic mechanisms such as methylation, phosphorylation, and sumoylation, acetylation status of histones is crucial and is governed by counteracting enzymes like histone acetyl transferase (HAT) and histone deacetylases (HDAC) which have contradictory effects on the histone acetylation. HDAC inhibition induces chromatin relaxation which forms euchromatin and thereby initiates the expression of certain transcription factors attributed with apoptosis, which are mostly correlated with the expression of the p21 gene and acetylation of H3 and H4 histones. Most of the synthetic and natural HDAC inhibitors elicit antineoplastic effect through activation of various apoptotic pathways and promoting cell cycle arrest at various phases. Due to their promising chemo preventive action and low cytotoxicity against normal host cells, bioactive substances like flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenolic compounds from plants have recently gained importance. Even though all bioactive compounds mentioned have an HDAC inhibitory action, some of them have a direct effect and others enhance the effects of the standard well known HDAC inhibitors. In this review, the action of plant derived compounds against histone deacetylases in a variety of in vitro cancer cell lines and in vivo animal models are articulated.

Role of SIRT1 in sepsis-induced encephalopathy: Molecular targets for future therapies

Sepsis induces neuroinflammation, BBB disruption, cerebral hypoxia, neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death causing sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). These pathological consequences lead to short- and long-term neurobehavioural deficits. Till now there is no specific treatment that directly improves SAE and its associated behavioural impairments. In this review, we discuss the underlying mechanisms of sepsis-induced brain injury with a focus on the latest progress regarding neuroprotective effects of SIRT1 (silent mating type information regulation-2 homologue-1). SIRT1 is an NAD+ -dependent class III protein deacetylase. It is able to modulate multiple downstream signals (including NF-κB, HMGB, AMPK, PGC1α and FoxO), which are involved in the development of SAE by its deacetylation activity. There are multiple recent studies showing the neuroprotective effects of SIRT1 in neuroinflammation related diseases. The proposed neuroprotective action of SIRT1 is meant to bring a promising therapeutic strategy for managing SAE and ameliorating its related behavioural deficits.

The Role of NAD+, SIRTs Interactions in Stimulating and Counteracting Carcinogenesis

The World Health Organization has identified oncological diseases as one of the most serious health concerns of the current century. Current research on oncogenesis is focused on the molecular mechanisms of energy-biochemical reprogramming in cancer cell metabolism, including processes contributing to the Warburg effect and the pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic roles of sirtuins (SIRTs) and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). However, a clear understanding of the interaction between NAD⁺, SIRTs in cancer development, as well as their effects on carcinogenesis, has not been established, and literature data vary greatly. This work aims to provide a summary and structure of the available information on NAD⁺, SIRTs interactions in both stimulating and countering carcinogenesis, and to discuss potential approaches for pharmacological modulation of these interactions to achieve an anticancer effect.

Benzimidazole and its derivatives as cancer therapeutics: The potential role from traditional to precision medicine

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality globally which remains a continuing threat to human health today. Drug insensitivity and resistance are critical hurdles in cancer treatment; therefore, the development of new entities targeting malignant cells is considered a high priority. Targeted therapy is the cornerstone of precision medicine. The synthesis of benzimidazole has garnered the attention of medicinal chemists and biologists due to its remarkable medicinal and pharmacological properties. Benzimidazole has a heterocyclic pharmacophore, which is an essential scaffold in drug and pharmaceutical development. Multiple studies have demonstrated the bioactivities of benzimidazole and its derivatives as potential anticancer therapeutics, either through targeting specific molecules or non-gene-specific strategies. This review provides an update on the mechanism of actions of various benzimidazole derivatives and the structure‒activity relationship from conventional anticancer to precision healthcare and from bench to clinics.

SIRT2i_Predictor: A Machine Learning-Based Tool to Facilitate the Discovery of Novel SIRT2 Inhibitors

A growing body of preclinical evidence recognized selective sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) inhibitors as novel therapeutics for treatment of age-related diseases. However, none of the SIRT2 inhibitors have reached clinical trials yet. Transformative potential of machine learning (ML) in early stages of drug discovery has been witnessed by widespread adoption of these techniques in recent years. Despite great potential, there is a lack of robust and large-scale ML models for discovery of novel SIRT2 inhibitors. In order to support virtual screening (VS), lead optimization, or facilitate the selection of SIRT2 inhibitors for experimental evaluation, a machine-learning-based tool titled SIRT2i_Predictor was developed. The tool was built on a panel of high-quality ML regression and classification-based models for prediction of inhibitor potency and SIRT1-3 isoform selectivity. State-of-the-art ML algorithms were used to train the models on a large and diverse dataset containing 1797 compounds. Benchmarking against structure-based VS protocol indicated comparable coverage of chemical space with great gain in speed. The tool was applied to screen the in-house database of compounds, corroborating the utility in the prioritization of compounds for costly in vitro screening campaigns. The easy-to-use web-based interface makes SIRT2i_Predictor a convenient tool for the wider community. The SIRT2i_Predictor's source code is made available online.

Metformin Induces Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer (PC) Cells Accompanied by Changes in the Levels of Histone Acetyltransferases (Particularly, p300/CBP-Associated Factor (PCAF) Protein Levels)

Accumulating evidence (mainly from experimental research) suggests that metformin possesses anticancer properties through the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. However, its effect on the enzymes responsible for histone acetylation status, which plays a key role in carcinogenesis, remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of metformin on histone acetyltransferases (HATs) (i.e., p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), p300, and CBP) and on histone deacetylases (HDACs) (i.e., SIRT-1 in human pancreatic cancer (PC) cell lines, 1.2B4, and PANC-1). The cells were exposed to metformin, an HAT inhibitor (HATi), or a combination of an HATi with metformin for 24, 48, or 72 h. Cell viability was determined using an MTT assay, and the percentage of early apoptotic cells was determined with an Annexin V-Cy3 Apoptosis Detection Assay Kit. Caspase-9 activity was also assessed. SIRT-1, PCAF, p300, and CBP expression were determined at the mRNA and protein levels using RT-PCR and Western blotting methods, respectively. Our results reveal an increase in caspase-9 in response to the metformin, indicating that it induced the apoptotic death of both 1.2B4 and PANC-1 cells. The number of cells in early apoptosis and the activity of caspase-9 decreased when treated with an HATi alone or a combination of an HATi with metformin, as compared to metformin alone. Moreover, metformin, an HATi, and a combination of an HATi with metformin also modified the mRNA expression of SIRT-1, PCAF, CBP, and p300. However, metformin did not change the expression of the studied genes in 1.2B4 cells. The results of the Western blot analysis showed that metformin diminished the protein expression of PCAF in both the 1.2B4 and PANC-1 cells. Hence, it appears possible that PCAF may be involved in the metformin-mediated apoptosis of PC cells.

Changes in circulating sirtuin 1 after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Weight loss after bariatric surgery improves the inflammatory state and risk of cardiovascular disease. Improvement in metabolic dysfunction might be associated with changes in the activity of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and we aimed to investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on its circulating levels.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a sub-study of a prospective cohort study, including 110 subjects with morbid obesity. The surgical procedure was either laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Blood was sampled at inclusion and six and 12 months after surgery. SIRT1 was measured in EDTA plasma with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean age in the population was 43 years, 80% were women and mean body mass index (BMI) was 38.8 kg/m². RYGB and SG were performed in 89 and 21 subjects, respectively. SIRT1 concentration was significantly reduced from baseline to six and 12 months after surgery, with mean values (SD) 156.8 (82.6), 119.5 (65.6) and 94.9 (45.6) ng/mL, respectively, (p ≤ 0.002, all), accompanied by significant reductions in C-reactive protein (CRP), BMI and triglycerides from inclusion (p < 0.001, all). Type of surgery did not differently modify SIRT1 levels (p = 0.09). CRP and triglycerides were both positively predictive of SIRT1 levels (p ≤ 0.001, both).

CONCLUSION

SIRT1 concentration was significantly lower six and 12 months after bariatric surgery. CRP and triglycerides independently predicted SIRT1 levels, suggesting that reduction in SIRT1 levels might not intrinsically be related to weight reduction, but to improvement in metaflammation.

Post-Translational Modifications by Lipid Metabolites during the DNA Damage Response and Their Role in Cancer

Genomic DNA damage occurs as an inevitable consequence of exposure to harmful exogenous and endogenous agents. Therefore, the effective sensing and repair of DNA damage are essential for maintaining genomic stability and cellular homeostasis. Inappropriate responses to DNA damage can lead to genomic instability and, ultimately, cancer. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) are a key regulator of the DNA damage response (DDR), and recent progress in mass spectrometry analysis methods has revealed that a wide range of metabolites can serve as donors for PTMs. In this review, we will summarize how the DDR is regulated by lipid metabolite-associated PTMs, including acetylation, S-succinylation, N-myristoylation, palmitoylation, and crotonylation, and the implications for tumorigenesis. We will also discuss potential novel targets for anti-cancer drug development.

SAMHD1 deacetylation by SIRT1 promotes DNA end resection by facilitating DNA binding at double-strand breaks

Sterile alpha motif and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) has a dNTPase-independent function in promoting DNA end resection to facilitate DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR); however, it is not known if upstream signaling events govern this activity. Here, we show that SAMHD1 is deacetylated by the SIRT1 sirtuin deacetylase, facilitating its binding with ssDNA at DSBs, to promote DNA end resection and HR. SIRT1 complexes with and deacetylates SAMHD1 at conserved lysine 354 (K354) specifically in response to DSBs. K354 deacetylation by SIRT1 promotes DNA end resection and HR but not SAMHD1 tetramerization or dNTPase activity. Mechanistically, K354 deacetylation by SIRT1 promotes SAMHD1 recruitment to DSBs and binding to ssDNA at DSBs, which in turn facilitates CtIP ssDNA binding, leading to promotion of genome integrity. These findings define a mechanism governing the dNTPase-independent resection function of SAMHD1 by SIRT1 deacetylation in promoting HR and genome stability.

Phenylalanine impairs insulin signaling and inhibits glucose uptake through modification of IRβ

Whether amino acids act on cellular insulin signaling remains unclear, given that increased circulating amino acid levels are associated with the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we report that phenylalanine modifies insulin receptor beta (IRβ) and inactivates insulin signaling and glucose uptake. Mice fed phenylalanine-rich chow or phenylalanine-producing aspartame or overexpressing human phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (hFARS) develop insulin resistance and T2D symptoms. Mechanistically, FARS phenylalanylate lysine 1057/1079 of IRβ (F-K1057/1079), inactivating IRβ and preventing insulin from promoting glucose uptake by cells. SIRT1 reverse F-K1057/1079 and counteract the insulin-inactivating effects of hFARS and phenylalanine. F-K1057/1079 and SIRT1 levels in white blood cells from T2D patients are positively and negatively correlated with T2D onset, respectively. Blocking F-K1057/1079 with phenylalaninol sensitizes insulin signaling and relieves T2D symptoms in hFARS-transgenic and db/db mice. These findings shed light on the activation of insulin signaling and T2D progression through inhibition of phenylalanylation.

Whether amino acids act on cellular insulin signaling remains unclear. Here, the authors find that phenylalanine modifies insulin receptor beta (IRβ) and inactivates insulin signaling and glucose uptake and positively correlated with T2D onset.

Quercetin Decreases Corneal Haze In Vivo and Influences Gene Expression of TGF-Beta Mediators In Vitro

We have previously reported the flavonoid, quercetin, as a metabolic regulator and inhibitor of myofibroblast differentiation in vitro. Our current study evaluated the effects of topical application of quercetin on corneal scar development using two different animal models followed by RNA analysis in vitro. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were anesthetized and the corneal epithelium and stroma were manually debrided, followed by quercetin (0.5, 1, 5, or 50 mM) or vehicle application. Corneal scarring was assessed for 3 weeks by slit lamp imaging and clinically scored. In a separate animal study, six New Zealand White rabbits underwent lamellar keratectomy surgery, followed by treatment with 5 mM quercetin or vehicle twice daily for three days. Stromal backscattering was assessed at week 3 by in vivo confocal microscopy. In mice, a single dose of 5 mM quercetin reduced corneal scar formation. In rabbits, stromal backscattering was substantially lower in two out of three animals in the quercetin-treated group. In vitro studies of human corneal fibroblasts showed that quercetin modulated select factors of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. These results provide evidence that quercetin may inhibit corneal scarring. Further studies in a larger cohort are required to validate the efficacy and safety of quercetin for clinical applications.

Natural Bioactive Compounds Targeting Histone Deacetylases in Human Cancers: Recent Updates

Cancer is a complex pathology that causes a large number of deaths worldwide. Several risk factors are involved in tumor transformation, including epigenetic factors. These factors are a set of changes that do not affect the DNA sequence, while modifying the gene’s expression. Histone modification is an essential mark in maintaining cellular memory and, therefore, loss of this mark can lead to tumor transformation. As these epigenetic changes are reversible, the use of molecules that can restore the functions of the enzymes responsible for the changes is therapeutically necessary. Natural molecules, mainly those isolated from medicinal plants, have demonstrated significant inhibitory properties against enzymes related to histone modifications, particularly histone deacetylases (HDACs). Flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids exert significant inhibitory effects against HDAC and exhibit promising epi-drug properties. This suggests that epi-drugs against HDAC could prevent and treat various human cancers. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the pharmacodynamic action of different natural compounds extracted from medicinal plants against the enzymatic activity of HDAC.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of the lysine acetylome reveals diverse SIRT2 substrates

Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a NAD+-dependent deacetylase, which regulates multiple biological processes, including genome maintenance, aging, tumor suppression, and metabolism. While a number of substrates involved in these processes have been identified, the global landscape of the SIRT2 acetylome remains unclear. Using a label-free quantitative proteomic approach following enrichment for acetylated peptides from SIRT2-depleted and SIRT2-overexpressing HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells, we identified a total of 2,846 unique acetylation sites from 1414 proteins. 896 sites from 610 proteins showed a > 1.5-fold increase in acetylation with SIRT2 knockdown, and 509 sites from 361 proteins showed a > 1.5-fold decrease in acetylation with SIRT2 overexpression, with 184 proteins meeting both criteria. Sequence motif analyses identified several site-specific consensus sequence motifs preferentially recognized by SIRT2, most commonly KxxxxK(ac). Gene Ontology, KEGG, and MetaCore pathway analyses identified SIRT2 substrates involved in diverse pathways, including carbon metabolism, glycolysis, spliceosome, RNA transport, RNA binding, transcription, DNA damage response, the cell cycle, and colorectal cancer. Collectively, our findings expand on the number of known acetylation sites, substrates, and cellular pathways targeted by SIRT2, providing support for SIRT2 in regulating networks of proteins in diverse pathways and opening new avenues of investigation into SIRT2 function.

SIRT1-SIRT7 Expression in Patients with Lymphoproliferative Disorders Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization

Sirtuins are involved in the fate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), including their metabolism, stress response, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to explore SIRT1-7 expression during HSC mobilization. The study included 50 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (39 multiple myeloma, 11 lymphoma). Samples were taken before mobilization (day 0) and on the day of first apheresis (day A). The sirtuin expression was evaluated by the Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) method. A significant increase of the SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT3, SIRT5, SIRT6, and SIRT7 levels measured at day A as compared to baseline was observed. The study revealed a positive correlation between SIRT5, SIRT6, and SIRT7 expression and the CD34+ peak value in peripheral blood and the number of CD34+ cells collected on day A. Patients from the SIRT7 “high expressors” group collected more CD34+ cells on day A than “low expressors”. Upregulated expressions of SIRT3 and SIRT7 on the day of first apheresis were observed in patients in complete remission status (CR) as compared to the non-CR group. Our results suggest that the investigated sirtuins may influence the HSC migration and hematopoietic landscape during mobilization. SIRT5, SIRT6, and SIRT7 may be associated with the efficacy of HSC mobilization.

AntiGan: An Epinutraceutical Bioproduct with Antitumor Properties in Cultured Cell Lines

Novel and effective chemotherapeutic agents are needed to improve cancer treatment. Epidrugs are currently used for cancer therapy but also exhibit toxicity. Targeting the epigenetic apparatus with bioproducts may aid cancer prevention and treatment. To determine whether the lipoprotein marine extract AntiGan shows epigenetic and antitumor effects, cultured HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and HCT116 (colorectal carcinoma) cell lines were treated with AntiGan (10, 50, 100, and to 500 µg/mL) for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. AntiGan (10 µg/mL) reduced cell viability after 48 h and increased Bax expression; AntiGan (10 and 50 µg/mL) increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity in HepG2 and HCT116 cells. AntiGan (10 and 50 µg/mL) attenuated COX-2 and IL-17 expression in both cell lines. AntiGan (10 µg/mL) increased 5mC levels in both cell types and reduced DNMT1 and DNMT3a expression in these cells. AntiGan (10 and 50 µg/mL) promoted DNMT3a immunoreactivity and reduced SIRT1 mRNA expression in both cell types. In HCT116 cells treated with AntiGan (10 µg/mL), SIRT1 immunoreactivity localized to nuclei and the cytoplasm; AntiGan (50 µg/mL) increased cytoplasmic SIRT1 localization in HCT116 cells. AntiGan is a novel antitumoral bioproduct with epigenetic properties (epinutraceutical) for treating liver and colorectal cancer.

The role of resveratrol, Sirtuin1 and RXRα as prognostic markers in ovarian cancer

Objective

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Resveratrol (RSV) is known to alter metabolism in cancer. It affects the nuclear retinoid-X-receptor (RXR), which implies a modulating effect of RXR to gynaecologic cancers. Furthermore, RSV targets Sirtuin1 (Sirt1), a histone deacetylase.

Study design

123 tissue samples of patients with serous or mucinous ovarian cancer were examined for expression of Sirt1 and RXR. Ovarian cell lines were treated with RSV and consequences on viability and apoptosis were evaluated. The influence of RSV to Sirt1 and RXR expression was analyzed by western blotting

Results

A correlation of nuclear Sirt1 and RXRα expression could be detected (p = 0.006). Co-expression of nuclear RXRα and cytoplasmic (p = 0.026) or nuclear (p = 0.041) Sirt1 was associated with significantly increased overall survival in advanced tumour stages. Viability was decreased in all cell lines after stimulation with resveratrol, while cell apoptosis was increased. RSV treatment led to significant lower Sirt1 expression in A2780 cells (p = 0.025) and significant increased RXR expression in cisA2780 cells (p = 0.012)

Conclusion

In order to use RSV as medical target, studies could be developed to improve the understanding of drug resistance mechanisms and consequently improve treatment outcome.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00404-021-06262-w.

The deacetylation of Foxk2 by Sirt1 reduces chemosensitivity to cisplatin

In multiple types of cancer, decreased tumour cell apoptosis during chemotherapy is indicative of decreased chemosensitivity. Forkhead box K2 (FOXK2), which is essential for cell fate, regulates cancer cell apoptosis through several post‐translational modifications. However, FOXK2 acetylation has not been extensively studied. Here, we evaluated the effects of sirtiun 1 (SIRT1) on FOXK2 deacetylation. Our findings demonstrated that SIRT1 inhibition increased FOXK2‐induced chemosensitivity to cisplatin and that K223 in FOXK2 was acetylated. Furthermore, FOXK2 K223 deacetylation reduced chemosensitivity to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FOXK2 was acetylated by the acetyltransferase cAMP response element binding protein and deacetylated by SIRT1. Furthermore, cisplatin attenuated the interaction between FOXK2 and SIRT1. Cisplatin or SIRT1 inhibition enhanced FOXK2 acetylation, thereby reducing the nuclear distribution of FOXK2. Additionally, FOXK2 K223 acetylation significantly affected the expression of cell cycle–related and apoptosis‐related genes in cisplatin‐stimulated cancer cells, and FOXK2 K223 hyperacetylation promoted mitotic catastrophe, which enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin. Overall, our results provided insights into the mechanisms of SIRT1‐mediated FOXK2 deacetylation, which was involved in chemosensitivity to cisplatin.

SRT1720 inhibits the growth of bladder cancer in organoids and murine models through the SIRT1-HIF axis

There are unmet clinical needs for novel therapeutic targets and drugs for bladder cancer. Majority of previous work relied on limited bladder cancer cell lines, which could not well represent the tumor heterogeneity and pathology of this disease. Recently, it has been shown that cancer organoids can recapitulate pathological and molecular properties of bladder cancer. Here, we report, by our knowledge, the first bladder cancer organoid-based small molecule screening for epigenetic drugs. We found that SRT1720, a Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activator, significantly inhibits the growth of both mouse and human bladder cancer organoids. And it also restrains the development of mouse in situ bladder cancer and human PDX bladder cancer. Mutation of Sirt1 promotes the growth of cancer organoids and decreases their sensitivity to SRT1720, which validate Sirt1 as the target of SRT1720 in bladder cancer. Mechanistically, SRT1720 treatment represses the hypoxia pathway through deacetylating HIF1α by activating Sirt1. Genetic or pharmaceutic inhibitions of HIF mimic the anti-tumor effect of SRT1720. Furthermore, the SIRT1-repressed gene signature is associated with the hypoxia target gene signature and poor prognosis in human bladder cancers. Thus, our study demonstrates the power of cancer organoid-based drug discovery and, in principle, identifies SRT1720 as a new treatment for bladder cancer.

Sirtuin 3 deficiency exacerbates age-related periodontal disease

Background

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a mitochondrial NAD⁺‐dependent deacetylase, has received much attention for its effect on metabolism and aging. However, the role of SIRT3 in periodontal disease remains unknown.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the functional role of SIRT3 in age‐related periodontal disease and underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Sixteen mice were randomly assigned into four groups: the young wild type (WT), the aged WT, the young SIRT3‐knockout (KO), and the aged SIRT3‐KO. SIRT3 and cyclophilin D (CypD) expression and protein lysine acetylation levels in alveolar bones were detected by western blot. The bone architecture and the distance of CEJ‐ABC were assessed using micro‐CT and HE staining. The osteoclast number was observed through tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Mitochondrial morphology in SIRT3 knockdown MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells was analyzed by Immunofluorescence staining. In gingival tissues, the NAD⁺/NADH ratio was measured, and oxidative stress was detected by MitoSOX staining, HO‐1 staining, and MnSOD expression. Mitochondrial biogenesis was measured by PGC‐1α expression and oxygen consumption rate (OCR).

Results

In parallel with the imbalanced NAD⁺/NADH ratio, the SIRT3 expression was significantly decreased in the alveolar bones of the aged mice, accompanied by a global elevation of protein acetylation levels. The aged SIRT3‐KO group showed the highest rate of bone resorption and the largest number of TRAP‐positive osteoclasts among the four groups. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species level was up‐regulated in the young and the aged SIRT3‐KO groups. SIRT3 deficiency promoted mitochondrial fission and increased the CypD expression. Furthermore, the lack of SIRT3 reduced the PGC‐1α expression in gingival tissues and exhibited a significant reduction in maximal OCR.

Conclusion

Reduced SIRT3 abundance contributes to aged‐related periodontal disease via the exacerbation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Anticancer Effects of I-BET151, an Inhibitor of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain Proteins

I-BET151 is an inhibitor of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins that selectively inhibits BET family members (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT). Over the past ten years, many studies have demonstrated the potential of I-BET151 in cancer treatment. Specifically, I-BET151 causes cell cycle arrest and inhibits tumor cell proliferation in some hematological malignancies and solid tumors, such as breast cancer, glioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, and ovarian cancer. The anticancer activity of I-BET151 is related to its effects on NF-κB, Notch, and Hedgehog signal transduction pathway, tumor microenvironment (TME) and telomere elongation. Remarkably, the combination of I-BET151 with select anticancer drugs can partially alleviate the occurrence of drug resistance in chemotherapy. Especially, the combination of forskolin, ISX9, CHIR99021, I-BET151 and DAPT allows GBM cells to be reprogrammed into neurons, and this process does not experience an intermediate pluripotent state. The research on the anticancer mechanism of I-BET151 will lead to new treatment strategies for clinical cancer.

SIRT3 acts as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of lung cancer: A retrospective study

Lung cancer (LC) is a prevalent malignancy worldwide with increased morbidity and mortality. Mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis. In this retrospective study, we measured the expression and diagnostic value of SIRT3 in LC patients.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure serum SIRT3 mRNA level in 150 LC patients and 52 healthy volunteers. SIRT3 protein level was detected using western blot for 84 pairs of LC and adjacent normal tissues. The association of SIRT3 mRNA level with clinical parameters of LC patients was estimated via chi-square test. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum SIRT3 in LC patients.SIRT3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in LC tissues and serum samples, compared with corresponding controls (P < .05). Moreover, the expression of SIRT3 mRNA was negatively associated with tumor size (P = .002), tumor node metastasis stage (P < .001), and metastasis (P < .001). ROC curve demonstrated that serum SIRT3 could distinguish LC patients from healthy individuals, with an area under the curve of 0.918. The optimal cutoff value was 3.12, reaching a sensitivity of 86.4%, and a specificity of 94%.SIRT3 expression is significantly down-regulated in LC serum and tissues. SIRT3 may be employed as a promising biomarker in the early diagnosis of LC.

Effect of intermittent and continuous caloric restriction on Sirtuin1 concentration depends on sex and body mass index

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The favorable effect of caloric restriction (CR) on health span is well known and partly mediated by the sirtuin system. Sirtuin1, a regulator of energy homeostasis in response to nutrient availability, is activated by CR. We therefore investigated effects of two different CR regimens on Sirtuin1 concentrations.

METHODS & RESULTS

The study included 112 abdominally obese subjects, randomized to intermittent or continuous CR for 1 year. Blood samples and anthropometric measures were collected at baseline and after 12 months. Sirtuin1 concentrations were measured by ELISA. Sirtuin1 correlated significantly to BMI at baseline (r = .232, p = 0.019). Mean reduction in body-weight was 8.0 and 9.0 kg after intermittent and continuous CR, respectively. After 1 year, no significant between-group differences in Sirtuin1 levels were observed according to regimen (p = 0.98) and sex (p = 0.41). An increase in median Sirtuin1 concentrations (pg/mL) [25, 75 percentiles] from baseline was observed after intermittent CR in the total population (884 [624, 1285] vs.762 [530, 1135]; p = 0.041), most marked in men (820 [623, 1250] vs. 633 [524, 926]; p = 0.016). Improvement in BMI after 1 year correlated to Sirtuin1 changes, but varied according to sex. In women, Spearman's rho = .298, p = 0.034, with stronger correlation in the intermittent CR group (r = .424, p = 0.049). In men, there was an inverse relation to Sirtuin1 changes, only in the intermittent CR group (r = -.396, p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Effects on Sirtuin1 concentrations after 1 year of CR are sex and BMI-related. Intermittent CR regimen affected Sirtuin1 to a stronger extent than continuous CR, suggesting individualized dietary intervention.

Inhibition of histone deacetylase 1 suppresses pseudorabies virus infection through cGAS-STING antiviral innate immunity

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that is the etiological agent of Aujeszky's disease in pigs. Vaccination is currently available to prevent PRV infection, but there is still an urgent need for new strategies to control this infectious disease. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are epigenetic regulators that regulate the histone tail, chromatin conformation, protein-DNA interaction and even transcription. Viral transcription and protein activities are intimately linked to regulation by histone acetyltransferases and HDACs that remodel chromatin and regulate gene expression. We reported here that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of HDAC1 significantly influenced PRV replication. Moreover, we demonstrated that inhibition of HDAC1 induced a DNA damage response and antiviral innate immunity. Mechanistically, the HDAC1 inhibition-induced DNA damage response resulted in the release of double-strand DNA into the cytosol to activate cyclic GMP-AMP synthase and the downstream STING/TBK1/IRF3 innate immune signaling pathway. Our results demonstrate that an HDAC1 inhibitor may be used as a new strategy to prevent Aujeszky's disease in pigs.

rs2253310 and rs4946936 common variants of FOXO3 gene in octogenarians and cancer: a pilot study in north India

Background

Healthy aging perceives human longevity probably due to carrying the defensive genes. Forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factors provide the most convincing example of a conserved genetic pathway at the point between aging and cancer. This pilot study was performed to examine the single nucleotide variants rs2253310 and rs4946936 of the Forkhead box O 3 (FOXO3 gene) in octogenarians and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer patients in the north Indian population.

Main body

In silico mutational analysis of the FOXO3 gene in 25 participants. Two single nucleotide variants (SNVs) g.7556C>G (rs2253310) heterozygous and g.122284T>C (rs4946936) homozygous observed and reported previously. However, there is a common association of these SNVs in different ethnic groups. No significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies for the study groups observed.

Short conclusion

This study observes two single nucleotide variants, g.7556C>G (rs2253310) and g.122284T>C (rs4946936), of the FOXO3 gene in the study groups which influence human longevity. Longevity-associated FOXO3 variants may be associated with GIT cancer in the north Indian population. As a result, looking for genes linked to longevity will lead to discovering new cancer targets. Further studies with a large population are necessary to elucidate the role of the FOXO3 gene in octogenarians.

Novel therapeutic approaches for cutaneous T cell lymphomas

Introduction: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, characterized by malignant T cells infiltrating the skin. CTCL exhibits vast heterogeneity which complicates diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. Current CTCL treatment includes skin-directed therapies (such as topical corticosteroid, topical mechlorethamine, topical bexarotene, ultraviolet phototherapy and localized radiotherapy), total skin electron beam therapy and systemic therapies. Elucidation of molecular and signaling pathways underlying CTCL pathogenesis leads to identification of innovative and personalized treatment schemes.Areas covered: The authors reviewed the molecular and immunological aspects of CTCL with special focus on Mycosis Fungoides (MF), Sézary Syndrome (SS) and associated systemic treatment. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles published until November 2020. Novel treatment approaches including retinoids, targeted therapies, immune checkpoint and JAK/STAT inhibitors, histones deacetylase (HDAC) and mTOR inhibitors as well as proteasome inhibitors, are discussed as potential therapeutic tools for the treatment of CTCL.Expert opinion: Novel therapeutic agents exhibit potential beneficial effects in CTCL patients of high need for therapy such as refractory early stage cutaneous and advanced stage disease. Therapeutic schemes employing a combination of novel agents with current treatment options may prove valuable for the future management of CTCL patients.

Obesity and aging: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic approaches

The epidemic of obesity is a major challenge for health policymakers due to its far-reaching effects on population health and potentially overwhelming financial burden on healthcare systems. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing acute and chronic diseases, including hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Interestingly, the metabolic dysregulation associated with obesity is similar to that observed in normal aging, and substantial evidence suggests the potential of obesity to accelerate aging. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of fat tissue dysfunction in obesity could provide insights into the processes that contribute to the metabolic dysfunction associated with the aging process. Here, we review the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying both obesity and aging, and how obesity and aging can predispose individuals to chronic health complications. The potential of lifestyle and pharmacological interventions to counter obesity and obesity-related pathologies, as well as aging, is also addressed.

Five-gene signature associating with Gleason score serve as novel biomarkers for identifying early recurring events and contributing to early diagnosis for Prostate Adenocarcinoma

Background: Compared to non-recurrent type, recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) is highly fatal, and significantly shortens the survival time of affected patients. Early and accurate laboratory diagnosis is particularly important in identifying patients at high risk of recurrence, necessary for additional systemic intervention. We aimed to develop efficient and accurate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for new PCa following radical therapy. Methods: We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and clinicopathological data of PCa patients from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) repositories. We then uncovered the most relevant clinical traits and genes modules associated with PCa prognosis using the Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Univariate Cox regression analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards (Cox-PH) models were performed to identify candidate gene signatures related to Disease-Free Interval (DFI). Data for internal and external cohorts were utilized to test and validate the accuracy and clinical utility of the prognostic models. Results: We constructed and validated an accurate and reliable model for predicting the prognosis of PCa using 5 Gleason score-associated gene signatures (ZNF695, CENPA, TROAP, BIRC5 and KIF20A). The ROC and Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed the model was highly accurate in diagnosing and predicting the recurrence and metastases of PCa. The accuracy of the model was validated using the calibration curves based on internal TCGA cohort and external GEO cohort. Using the model, patients could be prognostically stratified in to various groups including TNM classification and Gleason score. Multivariate analysis revealed the model could independently predict the prognosis of PCa patients and its utility was superior to that of clinicopathological characteristics. In addition, we fund the expression of the 5 gene signatures strongly and positively correlated with tumor purity but negatively correlated with infiltration CD8+ T cells to the tumor microenvironment. Conclusions: A 5 gene signatures can accurately be used in the diagnosis and prediction of PCa prognosis. Thus this can guide the treatment and management prostate adenocarcinoma.

Differential role of SIRT1/MAPK pathway during cerebral ischemia in rats and humans

Cerebral ischemia (CI) is a severe cause of neurological dysfunction and mortality. Sirtuin-1 (Silent information regulator family protein 1, SIRT1), an oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent protein deacetylase, plays an important role in protection against several neurodegenerative disorders. The present study aims to investigate the protective role of SIRT1 after CI in experimental young and aged rats and humans. Also, the study examines the possible regulatory mechanisms of neuronal death in CI settings. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate changes in the expression of SIRT1, JNK/ERK/MAPK/AKT signaling, and pro-apoptotic caspase-3 in experimental rats and CI patients. The study findings demonstrated that, in aged experimental rats, SIRT1 activation positively influenced JNK and ERK phosphorylation and modulated neuronal survival in AKT-dependent manner. Further, the protection conferred by SIRT1 was effectively reversed by JNK inhibition and increased pro-apoptotic caspase-3 expression. In young experimental rats, SIRT1 activation decreased the phosphorylation of stress-induced JNK, ERK, caspase-3, and increased the phosphorylation of AKT after CI. Inhibition of SIRT1 reversed the protective effect of resveratrol. More importantly, in human patients, SIRT1 expression, phosphorylation of JNK/ERK/MAPK/AKT signaling and caspase-3 were up-regulated. In conclusion, SIRT1 could possibly be involved in the modulation of JNK/ERK/MAPK/AKT signaling pathway in experimental rats and humans after CI.

miR-301 regulates the SIRT1/SOX2 pathway via CPEB1 in the breast cancer progression

Breast cancer, the most common malignant tumor in women, has become a worldwide burden for family and society. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are recognized as critical mediators of cancer-related processes, since they have the ability to coordinately suppress multiple target genes. In this study, we aim to find out specific miRNAs involved in the progression of breast cancer and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. Bioinformatics analysis suggested miR-301 as a differentially overexpressed miRNA in breast cancer, which was confirmed by expression determination. Functional assays were employed to explore the effect of miR-301 and its downstream effectors cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 1 (CPEB1), SIRT1, and SOX2 on malignant phenotypes of breast cancer. The interaction among these factors was explained using luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. In addition, the in vivo impact of miR-301 on breast cancer was assessed by cellular tumorigenicity in nude mice. We found that miR-301 overexpression restricted CPEB1 level and further promoted cell proliferation, metastasis, and cell cycle progression and impeded apoptosis. Moreover, CPEB1 regulated breast cancer development by mediating the SIRT1/SOX2 pathway. Further, miR-301 overexpression accelerated tumor formation in nude mice. Our results indicate that miR-301 overexpression accelerates the progression of breast cancer through the CPEB1/SIRT1/SOX2 axis.

SIRT2 promotes BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization through deacetylation

The breast cancer type I susceptibility protein (BRCA1) and BRCA1-associated RING domain protein I (BARD1) heterodimer promote genome integrity through pleiotropic functions, including DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR). BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization is required for their mutual stability, HR function, and role in tumor suppression; however, the upstream signaling events governing BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization are unclear. Here, we show that SIRT2, a sirtuin deacetylase and breast tumor suppressor, promotes BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization through deacetylation. SIRT2 complexes with BRCA1-BARD1 and deacetylates conserved lysines in the BARD1 RING domain, interfacing BRCA1, which promotes BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization and consequently BRCA1-BARD1 stability, nuclear retention, and localization to DNA damage sites, thus contributing to efficient HR. Our findings define a mechanism for regulation of BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization through SIRT2 deacetylation, elucidating a critical upstream signaling event directing BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization, which facilitates HR and tumor suppression, and delineating a role for SIRT2 in directing DSB repair by HR.

Minten et al. show that SIRT2, a sirtuin deacetylase and tumor suppressor protein, promotes BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization through deacetylation of BARD1 at conserved lysines within its RING domain. These findings elucidate a critical upstream signaling event directing BRCA1-BARD1 heterodimerization, which facilitates HR and tumor suppression.

Sirtuins and the prevention of immunosenescence

Aging of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been largely described as one underlying cause of senescence of the immune-hematopoietic system (immunosenescence). A set of well-defined hallmarks characterizes aged HSCs contributing to unbalanced hematopoiesis and aging-associated functional alterations of both branches of the immune system. In this chapter, the contribution of sirtuins, a family of conserved NAD⁺ dependent deacetylases with key roles in metabolism, genome integrity, aging and lifespan, to immunosenescence, will be addressed. In particular, the role of SIRT6 will be deeply analyzed highlighting a multifaceted part of this deacetylase in HSCs aging as well as in the immunosenescence of dendritic cells (DCs). These and other emerging data are currently paving the way for future design and development of rejuvenation means aiming at rescuing age-related changes in immune function in the elderly and combating age-associated hematopoietic diseases.

The deacetylation-phosphorylation regulation of SIRT2-SMC1A axis as a mechanism of antimitotic catastrophe in early tumorigenesis

Improper distribution of chromosomes during mitosis can contribute to malignant transformation. Higher eukaryotes have evolved a mitotic catastrophe mechanism for eliminating mitosis-incompetent cells; however, the signaling cascade and its epigenetic regulation are poorly understood. Our analyses of human cancerous tissue revealed that the NAD-dependent deacetylase SIRT2 is up-regulated in early-stage carcinomas of various organs. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that SIRT2 interacts with and deacetylates the structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1 (SMC1A), which then promotes SMC1A phosphorylation to properly drive mitosis. We have further demonstrated that inhibition of SIRT2 activity or continuously increasing SMC1A-K579 acetylation causes abnormal chromosome segregation, which, in turn, induces mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells and enhances their vulnerability to chemotherapeutic agents. These findings suggest that regulation of the SIRT2-SMC1A axis through deacetylation-phosphorylation permits escape from mitotic catastrophe, thus allowing early precursor lesions to overcome oncogenic stress.

Resveratrol's Anti-Cancer Effects through the Modulation of Tumor Glucose Metabolism

Simple Summary

The prevention and treatment of cancer is an ongoing medical challenge. In the context of personalized medicine, the well-studied polyphenol resveratrol could complement classical tumor therapy. It may affect key processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, proliferation, metastasis, glucose metabolism, and apoptosis in various cancers because resveratrol acts as a multi-targeting agent by modulating multiple signal transduction pathways. This review article focuses on resveratrol’s ability to modify tumor glucose metabolism and its associated therapeutic capacity. Resveratrol reduces glucose uptake and glycolysis by affecting Glut1, PFK1, HIF-1α, ROS, PDH, and the CamKKB/AMPK pathway. It also inhibits cell growth, invasion, and proliferation by targeting NF-kB, Sirt1, Sirt3, LDH, PI-3K, mTOR, PKM2, R5P, G6PD, TKT, talin, and PGAM. In addition, resveratrol induces apoptosis by targeting integrin, p53, LDH, and FAK. In conclusion, resveratrol has many potentials to intervene in tumor processes if bioavailability can be increased and this natural compound can be used selectively.

Abstract

Tumor cells develop several metabolic reprogramming strategies, such as increased glucose uptake and utilization via aerobic glycolysis and fermentation of glucose to lactate; these lead to a low pH environment in which the cancer cells thrive and evade apoptosis. These characteristics of tumor cells are known as the Warburg effect. Adaptive metabolic alterations in cancer cells can be attributed to mutations in key metabolic enzymes and transcription factors. The features of the Warburg phenotype may serve as promising markers for the early detection and treatment of tumors. Besides, the glycolytic process of tumors is reversible and could represent a therapeutic target. So-called mono-target therapies are often unsafe and ineffective, and have a high prevalence of recurrence. Their success is hindered by the ability of tumor cells to simultaneously develop multiple chemoresistance pathways. Therefore, agents that modify several cellular targets, such as energy restriction to target tumor cells specifically, have therapeutic potential. Resveratrol, a natural active polyphenol found in grapes and red wine and used in many traditional medicines, is known for its ability to target multiple components of signaling pathways in tumors, leading to the suppression of cell proliferation, activation of apoptosis, and regression in tumor growth. Here, we describe current knowledge on the various mechanisms by which resveratrol modulates glucose metabolism, its potential as an imitator of caloric restriction, and its therapeutic capacity in tumors.

Nicotinamide as a Foundation for Treating Neurodegenerative Disease and Metabolic Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders impact more than one billion individuals worldwide and are intimately tied to metabolic disease that can affect another nine hundred individuals throughout the globe. Nicotinamide is a critical agent that may offer fruitful prospects for neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus. Nicotinamide protects against multiple toxic environments that include reactive oxygen species exposure, anoxia, excitotoxicity, ethanolinduced neuronal injury, amyloid (Aß) toxicity, age-related vascular disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, excess lactate production, and loss of glucose homeostasis with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. However, nicotinamide offers cellular protection in a specific concentration range, with dosing outside of this range leading to detrimental effects. The underlying biological pathways of nicotinamide that involve the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1), the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mammalian forkhead transcription factors (FoxOs) may offer insight for the clinical translation of nicotinamide into a safe and efficacious therapy through the modulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy. Nicotinamide is a highly promising target for the development of innovative strategies for neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic disease, but the benefits of this foundation depend greatly on gaining a further understanding of nicotinamide's complex biology.

The Regulatory Effect of SIRT1 on Extracellular Microenvironment Remodeling

The sirtuins family is well known by its unique nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent deacetylase function. The most-investigated member of the family, Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), accounts for deacetylating a broad range of transcription factors and coregulators, such as p53, the Forkhead box O (FOXO), and so on. It serves as a pivotal regulator in various intracellular biological processes, including energy metabolism, DNA damage response, genome stability maintenance and tumorigenesis. Although the most attention has been focused on its intracellular functions, the regulatory effect on extracellular microenvironment remodeling of SIRT1 has been recognized by researchers recently. SIRT1 can regulate cell secretion process and participate in glucose metabolism, neuroendocrine function, inflammation and tumorigenesis. Here, we review the advances in the understanding of SIRT1 on remodeling the extracellular microenvironment, which may provide new ideas for pathogenesis investigation and guidance for clinical treatment.

Loss of Mitochondrial Control Impacts Renal Health

Disruption of mitochondrial biosynthesis or dynamics, or loss of control over mitochondrial regulation leads to a significant alteration in fuel preference and metabolic shifts that potentially affect the health of kidney cells. Mitochondria regulate metabolic networks which affect multiple cellular processes. Indeed, mitochondria have established themselves as therapeutic targets in several diseases. The importance of mitochondria in regulating the pathogenesis of several diseases has been recognized, however, there is limited understanding of mitochondrial biology in the kidney. This review provides an overview of mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney diseases. We describe the importance of mitochondria and mitochondrial sirtuins in the regulation of renal metabolic shifts in diverse cells types, and review this loss of control leads to increased cell-to-cell transdifferentiation processes and myofibroblast-metabolic shifts, which affect the pathophysiology of several kidney diseases. In addition, we examine mitochondrial-targeted therapeutic agents that offer potential leads in combating kidney diseases.

Differential expressions of SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy

This study investigated the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from type 2 diabetes patients with retinopathy (diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients) (n = 86) and those without retinopathy (n = 103). The mRNA expression of SIRT1 and SIRT3 was found to be significantly higher in diabetic patients with retinopathy compared to those without retinopathy. Notably, protein levels of SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT4 were higher in patients with DR compared with controls after adjusting for diabetes duration and taking metformin (p = .001 for SIRT1; p = .001 for SIRT3; p = .005 for SIRT4). In the logistic model, there was a significant association between SIRT3 and DR (p = .0001) independent of age and sex and hyperglycaemia markers including FBS, HbA1c, and diabetic duration. These findings suggest an emerging role of sirtuins in the pathogenesis of retinopathy, but further studies are necessary to establish this concept.

Natural Products Impacting DNA Methyltransferases and Histone Deacetylases

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression and chromatin structure without change in a DNA sequence. Several epigenetic modifications and respective regulators have been reported. These include DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, histone post-translational modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Emerging evidence has revealed that epigenetic dysregulations are involved in a wide range of diseases including cancers. Therefore, the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications concerning activation or inhibition of enzymes involved could be promising targets and useful tools for the elucidation of cellular and biological phenomena. In this review, emphasis is laid on natural products that inhibit DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) making them promising candidates for the development of lead structures for anticancer-drugs targeting epigenetic modifications. However, most of the natural products targeting HDAC and/or DNMT lack isoform selectivity, which is important for determining their potential use as therapeutic agents. Nevertheless, the structures presented in this review offer the well-founded basis that screening and chemical modifications of natural products will in future provide not only leads to the identification of more specific inhibitors with fewer side effects, but also important features for the elucidation of HDAC and DNMT function with respect to cancer treatment.

CSAG2 is a cancer-specific activator of SIRT1

SIRT1 is a NAD⁺ -dependent deacetylase that controls key metabolic and signaling pathways, including inactivating the p53 tumor suppressor. However, the mechanisms controlling SIRT1 enzymatic activity in the context of cancer are unclear. Here, we show that the previously undescribed CSAG2 protein is a direct activator of SIRT1. CSAG2 is normally restricted to expression in the male germline but is frequently re-activated in cancers. CSAG2 is necessary for cancer cell proliferation and promotes tumorigenesis in vivo. Biochemical studies revealed that CSAG2 directly binds to and stimulates SIRT1 activity toward multiple substrates. Importantly, CSAG2 enhances SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p53, inhibits p53 transcriptional activity, and improves cell survival in response to genotoxic stress. Mechanistically, CSAG2 binds SIRT1 catalytic domain and promotes activity independent of altering substrate affinity. Together, our results identify a previously undescribed mechanism for SIRT1 activation in cancer cells and highlight unanticipated approaches to therapeutically modulate SIRT1.

Versatile mechanisms of 2-substituted benzimidazoles in targeted cancer therapy

Background

The aim of this review is to provide an overview on diverse anticancer activities of 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives.

Main body

This review provides a correlation between the various mechanisms of action of benzimidazoles as anticancer and the substitution pattern around the nucleus.

Conclusion

The linker group and substitution at N-1, C-2, C-5, and C-6 positions have been found to be the most contributory factors for anticancer activity. This will help in the further design to afford more selective, potent, and multi-target anticancer of 2-substituted benzimidazole-based compounds.

A single-cell transcriptomic atlas characterizes ageing tissues in the mouse

Ageing is characterized by a progressive loss of physiological integrity, leading to impaired function and increased vulnerability to death1. Despite rapid advances over recent years, many of the molecular and cellular processes that underlie the progressive loss of healthy physiology are poorly understood2. To gain a better insight into these processes, here we generate a single-cell transcriptomic atlas across the lifespan of Mus musculus that includes data from 23 tissues and organs. We found cell-specific changes occurring across multiple cell types and organs, as well as age-related changes in the cellular composition of different organs. Using single-cell transcriptomic data, we assessed cell-type-specific manifestations of different hallmarks of ageing-such as senescence3, genomic instability4 and changes in the immune system2. This transcriptomic atlas-which we denote Tabula Muris Senis, or 'Mouse Ageing Cell Atlas'-provides molecular information about how the most important hallmarks of ageing are reflected in a broad range of tissues and cell types.

Insights into the Conserved Regulatory Mechanisms of Human and Yeast Aging

Aging represents a significant biological process having strong associations with cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders, which leads to progressive loss of cellular functions and viability. Astonishingly, age-related disorders share several genetic and molecular mechanisms with the normal aging process. Over the last three decades, budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has emerged as a powerful yet simple model organism for aging research. Genetic approaches using yeast RLS have led to the identification of hundreds of genes impacting lifespan in higher eukaryotes. Numerous interventions to extend yeast lifespan showed an analogous outcome in multi-cellular eukaryotes like fruit flies, nematodes, rodents, and humans. We collected and analyzed a multitude of observations from published literature and provide the contribution of yeast in the understanding of aging hallmarks most applicable to humans. Here, we discuss key pathways and molecular mechanisms that underpin the evolutionarily conserved aging process and summarize the current understanding and clinical applicability of its trajectories. Gathering critical information on aging biology would pave the way for future investigation targeted at the discovery of aging interventions.