Effects of SIDT2 on the miR-25/NOX4/HuR axis and SIRT3 mRNA stability lead to ROS-mediated TNF-α expression in hydroquinone-treated leukemia cells

Our previous studies indicated that the benzene metabolite hydroquinone (HQ) evokes the ROS/p38 MAPK/protein phosphatase 2A/tristetraprolin axis, leading to increased TNF-α expression in human acute myeloid leukemia cell lines U937 and HL-60. In this study, we aimed to identify the upstream pathway involved in ROS-mediated TNF-α expression. HQ treatment increased SIDT2 expression, which subsequently decreased miR-25 and SIRT3 expression in U937 cells. Notably, miR-25 downregulation promoted SIDT2 expression in HQ-treated U937 cells. SIDT2 induced lysosomal degradation of SIRT3 mRNA, but inhibited miR-25 expression through a lysosome-independent pathway. MiR-25 inhibition reduced NOX4 mRNA turnover, resulting in increased NOX4 protein levels. NOX4 induces mitochondrial ROS production and HuR downregulation. Restoration of HuR expression increased SIRT3 expression, suggesting that NOX4-mediated HuR downregulation promotes SIDT2-mediated degradation of SIRT3 mRNA. Inhibition of NOX4 or SIRT3 overexpression abolished HQ-induced ROS production, thereby abolishing TNF-α upregulation. Overall, these results indicate that SIDT2 regulates the miR-25/NOX4/HuR axis and SIRT3 mRNA destabilization, leading to ROS-mediated TNF-α upregulation in HQ-treated U937 cells. HQ-induced increase in TNF-α expression in HL-60 cells was also mediated through a similar pathway.