SIRT6 suppresses colon cancer growth by inducing apoptosis and autophagy through transcriptionally down-regulating Survivin

SIRT6, an evolutionarily conserved histone deacetylase, has been identified as a novel direct downstream target of Akt/FoxO3a and a tumor suppressor in colon cancer in our previous research. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms through which SIRT6 hinders tumor development remain unclear. To ascertain whether SIRT6 directly impacts Survivin transcription, a ChIP assay was conducted using an anti-SIRT6 antibody to isolate DNA. YM155 was synthesized to explore Survivin’s role in mitochondrial apoptosis, autophagy and tumor progression. Our investigation into the regulation of Survivin involved real-time fluorescence imaging in living cells, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and xenograft mouse assays. In this current study, we delved into the role of SIRT6 in colon cancer and established that activated SIRT6 triggers mitochondrial apoptosis by reducing Survivin expression. Subsequent examinations revealed that SIRT6 directly binds to the Survivin promoter, impeding its transcription. Notably, direct inhibition of Survivin significantly impeded colon cancer proliferation by inducing mitochondrial apoptosis and autophagy both in vitro and in vivo. More interestingly, Survivin inhibition reactivated the Akt/FoxO3a pathway and elevated SIRT6 levels, establishing a positive feedback loop. Our results identify Survivin as a novel downstream transcriptional target of SIRT6 that fosters tumor growth and holds promise as a prospective target for colon cancer therapy.