Inhibition of AKT induces p53/SIRT6/PARP1-dependent parthanatos to suppress tumor growth

BACKGROUND: Targeting AKT suppresses tumor growth through inducing apoptosis, however, during which whether other forms of cell death occurring is poorly understood. METHODS: The effects of increasing PARP1 dependent cell death (parthanatos) induced by inhibiting AKT on cell proliferation were determined by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, Hoechst 33,258 staining and analysis of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. For the detailed mechanisms during this process, Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR analysis, immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation were performed. Moreover, the inhibition of tumor growth by inducing p53/SIRT6/PARP1-dependent parthanatos was further verified in the xenograft mouse model. RESULTS: For the first time, we identified that inhibiting AKT triggered parthanatos, a new form of regulated cell death, leading to colon cancer growth suppression. For the mechanism investigation, we found that after pharmacological or genetic AKT inhibition, p53 interacted with SIRT6 and PARP1 directly to activate it, and promoted the formation of PAR polymer. Subsequently, PAR polymer transported to outer membrane of mitochondria and resulted in AIF releasing and translocating to nucleus thus promoting cell death. While, blocking PARP1 activity significantly rescued colon cancer from death. Furthermore, p53 deletion or mutation eliminated PAR polymer formation, AIF translocation, and PARP1 dependent cell death, which was promoted by overexpression of SIRT6. Meanwhile, reactive oxygen species production was elevated after inhibition of AKT, which might also play a role in the occurrence of parthanatos. In addition, inhibiting AKT initiated protective autophagy simultaneously, which advanced tumor survival and growth. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that AKT inhibition induced p53-SIRT6-PARP1 complex formation and the activation of parthanatos, which can be recognized as a novel potential therapeutic strategy for cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-022-00897-1.