Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Deacetylation Assays to Unravel the Interplay between Sirtuins (SIRT2) and Specific Protein-substrates
Published on: February 27, 2016
Sirtuin functions in health and disease
Hiroyasu Yamamoto1, Kristina Schoonjans, Johan Auwerx
1Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, Boite Postale 10142, 67404 Illkirch, France.
Sirtuins are NAD-dependent enzymes involved in crucial cellular functions like gene silencing and energy balance. Their diverse roles suggest potential as therapeutic targets for metabolic, neurodegenerative, and proliferative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sirtuins (silent information regulator 2-related enzymes) are NAD-dependent enzymes with deacetylase and ADP-ribosyltransferase activities.
- These enzymes are highly conserved across evolution, from bacteria to eukaryotes.
- Mammalian sirtuins (SIRT1-SIRT7) regulate diverse cellular processes including gene silencing, cell cycle control, apoptosis, and energy homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent data on sirtuins.
- To discuss their mechanisms of action and biological roles.
- To explore their association with age-related human diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific data on sirtuins.
- Analysis of sirtuin functions in cellular and organismal models.
- Discussion of sirtuin involvement in human diseases.
Main Results:
- Sirtuins exhibit diverse enzymatic activities, including deacetylation and ADP-ribosylation.
- They play critical roles in fundamental cellular processes.
- Evidence links sirtuins to various age-related conditions.
Conclusions:
- Sirtuins are key regulators of cellular functions with broad biological implications.
- Their multifaceted roles position them as potential therapeutic targets for metabolic, neurodegenerative, and proliferative diseases.
- Further research into sirtuins may yield novel strategies for combating age-related human diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
Mitochondria
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Regulated Protein Degradation
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...