Abstract

Metabolism The SIRT1 deacetylase suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis and colon cancer growth Firestein, R. et al. PLoS ONE 3, e2020 (2008) Discovery, in vivo activity, and mechanism of action of a small-molecule p53 activator Lain, S. et al. Cancer Cell 13, 454–463 (2008) Conflicting data have led to the question of whether sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), thought to be a key mediator of the tumour-suppressive effects of calorie restriction, is an oncogene or a tumour suppressor in vivo. Using the Apcmin/+ mouse model of colon cancer, Firestein and colleagues found that SIRT1 deacetylates β-catenin, preventing its oncogenic activity.