Conserved metabolic regulatory functions of sirtuins.
Silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) proteins, or sirtuins, are protein deacetylases/mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases found in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Their dependence on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) links their activity to cellular metabolic status. In bacteria, the sirtuin CobB regulates the metabolic enzyme acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) synthetase. The earliest function of sirtuins therefore may have been regulation of cellular metabolism in response to nutrient availability. Recent findings support the idea that sirtuins play a pivotal role in metabolic control in higher organisms, including mammals. This review surveys evidence for an emerging role of sirtuins as regulators of metabolism in mammals.
Schwer
Bjoern
B
Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
Verdin
Eric
E
D000106:Acetate-CoA Ligase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D008660:Metabolism; D009243:NAD / Q000378:metabolism; D037761:Sirtuins / Q000502:physiology*
D009243:NAD; D037761:Sirtuins; D000106:Acetate-CoA Ligase