Background
Sirtuin 7 (SIRT7) is pivotal in diverse diseases progression. Importantly, SIRT7 is associated with melanin production. However, whether SIRT7 regulates vitiligo is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of SIRT7 on pigmentation and the modification of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD).
Methods
After knockdown SIRT7 and G6PD, pigmentation of melanocytes was evaluated using commercial kits, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. The succinylation of G6PD mediated by SIRT7 was analyzed using co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis, and cycloheximide-chase experiment.
Results
We found that SIRT7 was highly expressed in vitiligo skin lesions. Knockdown of SIRT7 increased tyrosinase activity, melanin content, and the levels of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MITF, TYR, TRP1, and TRP2. Additionally, SIRT7 directly interacted with G6PD. Silenced SIRT7 promoted the succinylation of G6PD and enhanced its protein stability. G6PD knockdown reversed the effect of reduced SIRT7 expression on melanin production. Conclsuion: Silencing of SIRT7 promotes pigmentation of melanocytes by succinylating G6PD, suggesting that SIRT7-mediated G6PD desuccinylation may promote vitiligo progression.