Cytoplasmic sirtuin 6 translocation mediated by p62 polyubiquitination plays a critical role in cadmium-induced kidney toxicity.

Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) is important for maintaining kidney homeostasis and function. Cd exposure increases the risk of developing kidney diseases. However, the role of Sirt6 in kidney disease mechanisms is unclear. Here, we evaluated the role of Sirt6 in Cd-induced kidney toxicity. After Cd exposure, p62/sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1), an autophagy substrate, accumulated in mouse kidney mesangial cells in monomeric and polyubiquitinated (polyUb) forms. Sirt6 accumulated in response to Cd treatment at concentrations below the half-maximal inhibitory concentration and decreased after 12 h of treatment. Sirt6 and p62 co-localized in the nucleus and redistributed to the cytosol after Cd treatment. Sirt6 was mainly present in nuclei-rich membrane fractions. Sirt6 interacted with p62. Ub, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3). Knockdown of p62 promoted Sirt6 nuclear accumulation and inhibited apoptosis. Sirt6 overexpression altered levels of polyUb-p62 and apoptosis. At earlier times during Cd treatment, polyubiquitination of p62 and apoptosis were reduced. Cytoplasmic translocation of Sirt6 occurred later, with increased polyubiquitination of p62 and apoptosis. Bafilomycin 1 (BaF1) treatment promoted cytosolic Sirt6 accumulation, increasing cell death. Silencing autophagy related 5 (Atg5) increased nuclear Sirt6 levels, reduced polyUb-p62, and inhibited cell death, indicating that autophagy was necessary for Sirt6 redistribution. Cd resistance was associated with reduced polyUb-p62 and persistent Sirt6 expression. Cd treatment in mice for 4 weeks promoted p62, Sirt6, and LC3-II accumulation, inducing apoptosis in kidney tissues. Overall, our findings show that polyUb-p62 targeted Sirt6 to autophagosomes, playing a crucial role in Cd-induced cell death and kidney damage.