Sirtuin 1 Activation Suppresses the Growth of T-lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells by Inhibiting NOTCH and NF-κB Pathways

Abstract

Background/aim: The deacetylase sirtuin1 (SIRT1) inhibits tumor suppressor p53 and may promote tumorigenesis; however, SIRT1 effects on leukemia cells are controversial. The aim of this study was to clarify the activity of SIRT1 in leukemia cells.

Materials and methods: The effects of SIRT1 inhibition or activation and SIRT1 knockdown or overexpression were examined in two T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines carrying NOTCH1 mutations and three acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines.

Results: The growth of T-ALL cells was promoted by SIRT1 inhibition and SIRT1 knockdown but was reduced by SIRT1 activation and overexpression; however, no effects were observed in AML cells. SIRT1 activation decreased NOTCH, NF-κB, and mTOR signaling and inhibited p53, suggesting that the possible mechanisms of T-ALL growth suppression by SIRT1 are independent of p53.

Conclusion: SIRT1 activators acting through the down-regulation of NOTCH, NF-κB, and mTOR pathways can be novel targeted drugs for NOTCH1-mutated T-ALLs.

Keywords: NF-κB; NOTCH; Sirtuin1; leukemia; p53.