SIRT2 plays a key role in both cell cycle regulation and cell survival of BV2 microglia

Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a member of sirtuin protein family. Previous studies have suggested that SIRT2 plays differential roles in the survival and cell cycle regulation of various cell types. Because microglia plays critical roles in multiple major neurological disorders, in our current study we investigated the roles of SIRT2 in regulation of the cell cycle and cell survival of BV2 microglia by applying SIRT2 siRNA. We found that SIRT2 reductions by SIRT2 siRNA can produce cell cycle arrest of the cells at G0/G1 phase, by significantly increasing percentage of the cells in G0/G1 phase as well as decreasing percentage of the cells in S phase. The SIRT2 reductions can also increase late-stage apoptosis of the cells. We further found that SIRT2 silencing can lead to a decrease in the number of surviving BV2 cells, which may result from the effects of SIRT2 siRNA on both cell cycle and cell survival of the cells. Collectively, our study has suggested an important role of SIRT2 in regulating both the cell cycle and basal survival of microglia.