SIRT6 transcriptionally regulates fatty acid transport by suppressing PPARγ

Cell Rep. 2021 Jun 1;35(9):109190. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109190.

Abstract

Pathological lipid accumulation is often associated with enhanced uptake of free fatty acids via specific transporters in cardiomyocytes. Here, we identify SIRT6 as a critical transcriptional regulator of fatty acid transporters in cardiomyocytes. We find that SIRT6 deficiency enhances the expression of fatty acid transporters, leading to enhanced fatty acid uptake and lipid accumulation. Interestingly, the haploinsufficiency of SIRT6 is sufficient to induce the expression of fatty acid transporters and cause lipid accumulation in murine hearts. Mechanistically, SIRT6 depletion enhances the occupancy of the transcription factor PPARγ on the promoters of critical fatty acid transporters without modulating the acetylation of histone 3 at Lys 9 and Lys 56. Notably, the binding of SIRT6 to the DNA-binding domain of PPARγ is critical for regulating the expression of fatty acid transporters in cardiomyocytes. Our data suggest exploiting SIRT6 as a potential therapeutic target for protecting the heart from metabolic diseases.

Keywords: PPARγ; SIRT6; cardiomyocytes; fatty acid uptake; heart failure; lipotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / genetics
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / genetics
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism*
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Heart Failure / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • PPAR gamma / chemistry
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Domains
  • Sirtuins / deficiency
  • Sirtuins / genetics
  • Sirtuins / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • PPAR gamma
  • Sirt6 protein, mouse
  • SIRT6 protein, human
  • Sirtuins