The sirtuin class of histone deacetylases: regulation and roles in lipid metabolism.
After the completion of the human genome sequence and that from many other organisms, last decade has witnessed a spectacular gain of knowledge on gene functions. These studies provided new insights on the roles of genes in physiology and disease. Nonetheless, the availability of genetically modified models and of "omics" technologies such as next generation sequencing unveiled clear evidences on epigenetic regulation of many cellular functions. At this regard, sirtuins, belonging to class III histone deacetylase family, have emerged as regulators of metabolism as well as other cellular processes and seem ideally suited as targets of future therapeutical interventions. This review deals on general aspects of the biology of sirtuins and focuses on their relevance in lipid metabolism in different tissues, pointing to their exploitation as potential pharmacological targets of compounds that could be used as new therapeutic alternatives in several disorders ranging from type 2 diabetes and obesity to age-related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italia.
Erika
E
Fiorino
Marco
M
Giudici
Alessandra
A
Ferrari
Nico
N
Mitro
Donatella
D
Caruso
Emma
E
De Fabiani
Maurizio
M
Crestani
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D037761:Sirtuins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*
D037761:Sirtuins; D006655:Histone Deacetylases
energy metabolism; lipid metabolism; metabolic regulation; obesity; sirtuins; type 2 diabetes