Histone Deacetylase Sirtuin 1 Promotes Loss of Primary Cilia in Cholangiocarcinoma

Kishor Pant1, Estanislao Peixoto1, Seth Richard1

  • 1The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN.

Abstract

Insights

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) promotes cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) by destabilizing primary cilia. Inhibiting SIRT1 reduces tumor growth and proliferation, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for CCA.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is an NAD+-dependent deacetylase with dual roles in cancer.
  • Primary cilia are crucial cellular antennae involved in signaling pathways.
  • Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a challenging cancer with limited therapeutic options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism of SIRT1's role in CCA.
  • To investigate the impact of SIRT1 on primary cilia in CCA.
  • To evaluate SIRT1 as a potential therapeutic target for CCA.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed SIRT1 expression in human CCA tissues and cell lines.
  • Utilized siRNA-mediated SIRT1 knockdown and overexpression.
  • Measured primary cilia length and frequency.
  • Investigated proteasomal degradation of ciliary proteins.
  • Evaluated cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in an in vivo rat model.
  • Administered SIRT1 inhibitor sirtinol.

Main Results:

  • SIRT1 is significantly overexpressed in CCA.
  • SIRT1 knockdown promotes cilia formation; SIRT1 overexpression suppresses it.
  • SIRT1 induces proteasomal degradation of key ciliary proteins (α-tubulin, ARL13B, KIF3A).
  • SIRT1 overexpression enhances cell proliferation; SIRT1 inhibition reduces it.
  • Sirtinol treatment decreased tumor size and tumorigenic markers in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • SIRT1 acts as a tumor promoter in CCA by destabilizing primary cilia.
  • Modulation of primary cilia by SIRT1 is a key mechanism in CCA pathogenesis.
  • Targeting SIRT1 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for cholangiocarcinoma.

Related Concept Videos

Microtubules in Signaling01:22

Microtubules in Signaling

The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...
1.8K
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying...
6.9K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.8K
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
4.3K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
5.3K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.2K