• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.43-47
• /
• 2015

Sirtuin proteins are evolutionary conserved Sir2-related $NAD^+$-dependent deacetylases and regulate many of cellular processes such as metabolism, inflammation, transcription, and aging. Sirtuin contains activity of either ADP-ribosyltransferase or deacetyltranfease and their activity is dependent on the localization in cells. However, the expression pattern of Sirtuins has not been well studied. To examine the expression levels of Sirtuins, RT-PCR was performed using total RNAs from various tissues including liver, small intestine, heart, brain, kidney, lung, spleen, stomach, uterus, ovary, and testis. Sirtuins were highly expressed in most of tissues including the testis. Immunostaining assay showed that Sirt1 and Sirt6 were mainly located in the nucleus of germ cells, spermatocytes, and spermatids in the seminiferous tubules, whereas Sirt2 and Sirt5 were exclusively present in the cytoplasm of germ cells and spermatocytes. Our results indicate that Sirtuins may function as regulators of spermatogenesis and their activities might be dependent on their location in the seminiferous tubules.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.391-399
• /
• 2019

Nicotinamide is used to maturate pancreatic progenitors from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs). It has been known that nicotinamide inhibits the enzymatic activity of SIRT1, an NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase. Here we show that SIRT1 knockdown enhances the differentiation of human ESCs into IPCs. SIRT1 knockdown enhances the clustering size of IPCs and the expression of pancreatic genes including c-peptide, pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein 1 (PDX1), insulin, somatostatin, glucagon and Nkx6.1 in human ESC-derived IPCs. In addition, We found that IPCs differentiated from SIRT1 knockdowned human ESCs have more zinc compared to those from control human ESCs. Our data suggest that SIRT1 negatively regulates the differentiation of β cells from human ESCs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.17
• /
• pp.7297-7301
• /
• 2014

Objective: To explore the radiosensitization effect of overexpression of silent information regulator 6 (SIRT6) on A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Methods: Adenovirus vector Ad-SIRT6 causing overexpression of SIRT6 was established. Western blotting and MTT assay were adopted to detect the level of SIRT6 protein and the inhibitory rate of A549 cell proliferation after different concentrations of adenovirus transduction (0, 25, 100, 200, and 400 pfu/cell) for 24 h. Control group, Ad-null group and Ad-SIRT6 group were designed in this experiment and virus concentration of the latter two groups was 200 pfu/cell. Colony formation assays were employed to test survival fraction (SF) of the 3 groups after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 X-ray irradiation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the status of cell cycle of 3 groups after 48 h of 4Gy X-ray irradiation and Western blotting was used to determine the expression of apoptosis-related genes of 3 groups after 48 h of 4GyX-ray irradiation. Results: In the range of 25~400 pfu/cell, the inhibitory rate of A549 cell proliferation increased as adenovirus concentration raised. The inhibitory rates under the concentrations of 0, 25, 100, 200, and 400 pfu/cell were 0%, $4.23{\pm}0.34%$, $12.7{\pm}2.57%$, $22.6{\pm}3.38%$, $32.2{\pm}3.22%$, $38.7{\pm}4.09%$ and $47.8{\pm}5.58%$ and there were significantly differences among groups (P<0.05). SF in Ad-SIRT6 group was lower than Ad-null and control groups after 4~10Gy X-ray irradiation (P<0.05) and the sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) was 1.35 when compared with control group. Moreover, after 48 h of 4Gy X-ray irradiation, there appeared a significant increase in G1-phase cell proportion, upregulated expression of the level of apoptosis-promoting genes (Bax and Cleaved caspase-3), but a obvious decline in S-phase and G2-phase cell proportion and a significant decrease of the level of apoptosis-inhibiting gene (Bal-2) in the Ad-SIRT6 group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The over-expression of adenovirus-mediated SIRT6, which has radiosensitization effect on A549 cells of NSCLC, can inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells and cause G0/G1 phase retardation as well as induce apoptosis of cells.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.917-925
• /
• 2017

Whey protein, a by-product of milk curdling, exhibits diverse biological activities and is used as a dietary supplement. However, its effects on stress-induced vascular aging have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we found that whey protein significantly inhibited the Ang II-primed premature senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In addition, we observed a marked dose- and time-dependent increase in SIRT1 promoter activity and mRNA in VSMCs exposed to whey protein, accompanied by elevated SIRT1 protein expression. Ang II-mediated repression of SIRT1 level was dose-dependently reversed in VSMCs treated with whey protein, suggesting that SIRT1 is involved in preventing senescence in response to this treatment. Furthermore, resveratrol, a well-defined activator of SIRT1, potentiated the effects of whey protein on Ang II-primed premature senescence, whereas sirtinol, an inhibitor of SIRT1, exerted the opposite. Taken together, these results indicated that whey protein-mediated upregulation of SIRT1 exerts an anti-senescence effect, and can thus ameliorate Ang II-induced vascular aging as a dietary supplement.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.190-195
• /
• 2019

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose can cause hepatotoxicity by inducing mitochondrial damage and subsequent necrosis in hepatocytes. Sirtuin2 (Sirt2) is an $NAD^+$-dependent deacetylase that regulates several biological processes, including hepatic gluconeogenesis, as well as inflammatory pathways. We show that APAP decreases the expression of Sirt2. Moreover, the ablation of Sirt2 attenuates APAP-induced liver injuries, such as oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in hepatocytes. We found that Sirt2 deficiency alleviates the APAP-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and phosphorylation of the p70 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1). Moreover, Sirt2 interacts with and deacetylates S6K1, followed by S6K1 phosphorylation induction. This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective role of Sirt2 inactivation in APAP-induced liver injuries.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.393-400
• /
• 2017

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by lack of insulin and high glucose levels. T2DM can cause bone loss and fracture, thus leading to diabetic osteoporosis. Promoting osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts may effectively treat diabetic osteoporosis. We previously reported that Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), a $NAD^+$-dependent deacetylase, promotes osteogenic differentiation through downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\gamma}$. We also found that miR-132 regulates osteogenic differentiation by downregulating Sirt1 in a $PPAR{\beta}/{\delta}$-dependent manner. The ligand-activated transcription factor, $PPAR{\alpha}$, is another isotype of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family that helps maintain bone homeostasis and promot bone formation. Whether the regulatory role of $PPAR{\alpha}$ in osteogenic differentiation is mediated via Sirt1 remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to determine this role and the underlying mechanism by using high glucose (HG) and free fatty acids (FFA) to mimic T2DM in MC3T3-E1 cells. The results showed that HG-FFA significantly inhibited expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$, Sirt1 and osteogenic differentiation, but these effects were markedly reversed by $PPAR{\alpha}$ overexpression. Moreover, siSirt1 attenuated the positive effects of $PPAR{\alpha}$ on osteogenic differentiation, suggesting that $PPAR{\alpha}$ promotes osteogenic differentiation in a Sirt1-dependent manner. Luciferase activity assay confirmed interactions between $PPAR{\alpha}$ and Sirt1. These findings indicate that $PPAR{\alpha}$ promotes osteogenic differentiation via the Sirt1-dependent signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.818-827
• /
• 2016

This study was conducted to develop and validate the Sugar Intake Reduction Test (SIRT) for young children, and included eating behaviors, attitude, and nutritional knowledge about sugars. A draft version of the SIRT was developed after literature review. The final draft of the SIRT was established after two pilot tests of 5 year old children and an expert group's review, and is comprised of a one on one test between an investigator and a child using picture tools. It contained of 20 questions which included 3 components: eating behaviors (5 items), preference for sugar sweetened food (10 items), and nutritional knowledge about sugars (5 items). The final SIRT was conducted on 181 children 5 (n=100) to 6 (n=81) years old, to examine its item and test adequacies. The passing rate of most items significantly increased with increasing age, and most of the item discrimination also differed significantly between the below and upper score groups. The content validity was given a high score by professionals (mean score 3.9 out of 4). Reliability of all the items in the SIRT was high (Cronbach's ${\alpha}=0.82$). Moreover, the total component and the sub-component scores of the SIRT correlated significantly. Our results indicate that the SIRT is a valid tool to measure sugar intake reduction in young children aged 5~6 years.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.533-540
• /
• 2023

Sweroside is a natural monoterpene derived from Swertia pseudochinensis Hara. Recently, studies have shown that sweroside exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects. However, its role and mechanisms in high glucose (HG)-induced renal injury remain unclear. Herein, we established a renal injury model in vitro by inducing human renal tubular epithelial cell (HK-2 cells) injury by HG. Then, the effects of sweroside on HK-2 cell activity, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed. As a result, sweroside treatment ameliorated the viability, inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and VCAM-1), reduced the generation of ROS, and inhibited EMT in HK-2 cells. Moreover, the protein expression of SIRT1 was increased and the acetylation of p65 NF-kB was decreased in HK-2 cells with sweroside treatment. More importantly, EX527, an inhibitor of SIRT1, that inactivated SIRT1, abolished the improvement effects of sweroside on HK-2 cells. Our findings suggested that sweroside may mitigate HG-caused injury in HK-2 cells by promoting SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p65 NF-kB.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.583-595
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of Sargassum horneri extracts on palmitic acid (PA)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in HepG2 cells. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with varying concentrations of S. horneri extract or PA, and the cell viability was measured by water soluble tetrazolium salts analysis. The effective induction of ER stress and the effects of S. horneri were investigated through an examination of the ER stress-related genes, such as activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), X-box binding protein (XBP1s), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression and activation levels of unfolded protein response (UPR) associated proteins, such as inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (IRE1α), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha submit (eIF2α), and CHOP were examined by western blot analysis. Results: The treatment with PA increased the expression of UPR associated genes significantly and induced ER stress in a 12-hour treatment. Subsequent treatment with S. horneri reduced mRNA expression of ATF4, GRP78, and XBP1s. In addition, the protein levels of phosphate (p)-IRE1α, p-elF2α, and CHOP were also reduced by a treatment with S. horneri. An analysis of sirtuin (SIRT) mRNA expression in the S. horneri and PA-treated HepG2 cells showed that S. horneri increased the levels of SIRT2, SIRT6, and SIRT7, which indicates a possible role in reducing the expression of ER stress-related genes. Conclusion: These data indicate that S. horneri can exert an inhibitory effect on ER stress caused by PA and highlight its potential as an agent for managing various ER stress-related diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.283-289
• /
• 2019

Brain aging induces neuropsychological changes, such as decreased memory capacity, language ability, and attention; and is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, most of the studies on brain aging are focused on neurons, while senescence in astrocytes has received less attention. Astrocytes constitute the majority of cell types in the brain and perform various functions in the brain such as supporting brain structures, regulating blood-brain barrier permeability, transmitter uptake and regulation, and immunity modulation. Recent studies have shown that SIRT1 and SIRT2 play certain roles in cellular senescence in peripheral systems. Both SIRT1 and SIRT2 inhibitors delay tumor growth in vivo without significant general toxicity. In this study, we investigated the role of tenovin-1, an inhibitor of SIRT1 and SIRT2, on rat primary astrocytes where we observed senescence and other functional changes. Cellular senescence usually is characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and induces senescence- associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity. Tenovin-1-treated astrocytes showed increased SA-${\beta}$-gal-positive cell number, senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, including IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$, and cell cycle-related proteins like phospho-histone H3 and CDK2. Along with the molecular changes, tenovin-1 impaired the wound-healing activity of cultured primary astrocytes. These data suggest that tenovin-1 can induce cellular senescence in astrocytes possibly by inhibiting SIRT1 and SIRT2, which may play particular roles in brain aging and neurodegenerative conditions.