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Priority Report

SIRT3 is Pro-Apoptotic and Participates in Distinct Basal Apoptotic Pathways

Simon J. Allison and J Milner

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SIRT3, one of seven mammalian sirtuins, is a NAD-dependent deacetylase. SIRT3 localises to mitochondria where it deacetylates and thus activates acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (AceCS2), indicating a role for SIRT3 in metabolism. Here we provide evidence that SIRT3 also impacts upon apoptosis and cell growth control. Using RNAi under basal (non-stress) conditions we show that SIRT3 is required for apoptosis induced by selective silencing of Bcl-2 in HCT116 human epithelial cancer cells. Identical treatment of ARPE19 epithelial non-cancer cells induces G1 growth arrest which also proved to be SIRT3-dependent. Previously we have identified SIRT1 and JNK2 as constitutive suppressors of apoptosis in HCT116 cells. We now demonstrate that SIRT3 functions in JNK2-regulated apoptosis but is dispensable for SIRT1-regulated apoptosis. SIRT3 is also dispensable for stress-induced apoptosis. Thus the pro-apoptotic functioning of SIRT3 is selectively coupled with defined pathways regulating cell survival under basal conditions.

Authors

Simon J. Allison

University of York; York, UK

J Milner

Prous Institute for Biomedical Research.com

Purchase article for $19

Subscribe to this journal for $129/year