Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
10:39

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 17, 2020

SIR2: a potential target for calorie restriction mimetics

Danica Chen1, Leonard Guarente

  • 1Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

Trends in Molecular Medicine
|January 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Calorie restriction (CR) extends lifespan and mitigates aging diseases. The silent information regulator 2 (SIR2) gene, a NAD-dependent deacetylase, regulates lifespan and mediates CR, offering potential therapeutic targets for aging.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Aging Research
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Calorie restriction (CR) is known to extend lifespan and reduce age-related diseases in various species.
  • The silent information regulator 2 (SIR2) gene, encoding a NAD-dependent deacetylase, has emerged as a key regulator in lifespan extension.
  • Understanding SIR2's role is crucial for developing interventions against aging-related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence linking SIR2 to lifespan regulation and CR mediation in different organisms.
  • To explore the function of mammalian SIR2 homologs in CR-induced physiological changes and aging diseases.
  • To discuss novel small molecules that activate SIR2 as potential CR mimetics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on SIR2 and calorie restriction.
  • Analysis of data from model organisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans) and mammalian studies.
  • Examination of recent advancements in developing SIR2-activating small molecules.

Main Results:

  • SIR2 family genes are evolutionarily conserved regulators of lifespan.
  • SIR2 mediates CR effects on lifespan in lower species.
  • Mammalian SIR2 homologs play roles in CR responses and aging pathology.

Conclusions:

  • The SIR2 gene family is a critical, conserved regulator of lifespan.
  • Modulating SIR2 activity presents a promising strategy for developing CR mimetics.
  • Targeting SIR2 may offer new therapeutic avenues for combating diseases of aging.

More Related Videos

Solid Plate-based Dietary Restriction in Caenorhabditis elegans06:13

Solid Plate-based Dietary Restriction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: May 28, 2011

Combined Nucleotide and Protein Extractions in Caenorhabditis elegans10:37

Combined Nucleotide and Protein Extractions in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: March 17, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Metabolism01:19

Regulation of Metabolism

Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation01:24

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...