B lymphopoiesis is orchestrated by lineage-specific transcription factors. In B cell progenitors, lineage commitment is mediated by Pax5, wh
B lymphopoiesis is orchestrated by lineage-specific transcription factors. In B cell progenitors, lineage commitment is mediated by Pax5, which is commonly mutated in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Despite its essential role in immunity, the mechanisms regulating Pax5 function remain largely unknown. Here, we found that the NAD+-dependent enzyme SIRT7 coordinates B cell development through deacetylation of Pax5 at K198, which promotes Pax5 protein stability and transcriptional activity. Neither Pax5K198 deacetylated nor acetylated mimics rescued B cell differentiation in Pax5−/− pro-B cells, suggesting that B cell development requires Pax5 dynamic deacetylation. The Pax5K198 deacetylation mimic restored lineage commitment in Pax5−/− pro-B cells and B cell differentiation in Sirt7−/− pro-B cells, suggesting the uncoupling of differentiation from lineage commitment. The SIRT7–Pax5 interplay was conserved in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, where SIRT7 expression correlated with good prognosis. Our findings reveal a crucial mechanism for B lymphopoiesis and highlight the relevance of sirtuins in immune function.
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Molecular Hematology (DMH), Molecular Lymphopoiesis, Lunds universitet, Medicinska fakulteten, Institutionen för laboratoriemedicin, Avdelningen för molekylär hematologi, Molekylär lymfopoes, Originator, Lund University, Profile areas and other strong research environments, Strategic research areas (SRA), StemTherapy: National Initiative on Stem Cells for Regenerative Therapy, Lunds universitet, Profilområden och andra starka forskningsmiljöer, Strategiska forskningsområden (SFO), StemTherapy: National Initiative on Stem Cells for Regenerative Therapy, Originator, Lund University, Profile areas and other strong research environments, Other Strong Research Environments, LUCC: Lund University Cancer Centre, Lunds universitet, Profilområden och andra starka forskningsmiljöer, Övriga starka forskningsmiljöer, LUCC: Lunds universitets cancercentrum, Originator