SIRT1 promotes formation of breast cancer through modulating Akt activity

SIRT1 promotes formation of breast cancer through modulating Akt activity:

http://jcancer.org/v09p2012.pdf

This is a bit disturbing - and the opposite of what I expected.

CM et al [26] showed that Resveratrol (RES), as a
Sirtuins   activator,   promotes   cytotoxicity   and   pr
o- differentiation  activity  on  breast  cancer  cells,  which  
was in some  conflict  with  our  research.  Indeed,  RES  
activates SIRT3 in addition to SIRT1, and SIRT3 acts as
a   tumor   suppressor   inducing   cancer   cell   death   
through  the  regulation  of  key  proteins  for  malignant
transformation  [27].  

Also,  they  showed  the  effects  of  
RES  on  breast  cancer  cells  were  modulated  not  only  
by  SIRT1/SIRT3,  but  also  by  mitochondrial  complex  
inhibition.  Most  importantly,  they  found  cytotoxic  
effects  of  RES,  which  is  dependent  on  the increase  of  
SIRT1  level,  was  only  in  high  glucose  containing  
medium,  but  not  normal  medium.  We  also  detected  
the  expression  of  SIRT1  in  RES-treated  breast  cancer  cells  in  our  cultured  conditions,  however, 
there  was no significant change in SIRT1 level (Figure S3). Thus
SIRT1 can function either as a tumor suppressor or as
an  oncogene,  depending  on  the  cellular  background  
or environment cells are growing in. 

 

A little reassuring?

I think this was covered in the early days of the resveratrol forum.  Maybe not the same studies, but the outcome vis-a-vis breast cancer cells.