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Updated: May 13, 2026

Deacetylation Assays to Unravel the Interplay between Sirtuins (SIRT2) and Specific Protein-substrates
Published on: February 27, 2016
Insight the C-site pocket conformational changes responsible for sirtuin 2 activity using molecular dynamics
Sugunadevi Sakkiah1, Mahreen Arooj, Guang Ping Cao
1Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Systems and Synthetic Agrobiotech Center (SSAC), Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea.
Abstract:
Sirtuin belongs to a family of typical histone deacetylase which regulates the fundamental cellular biological processes including gene expression, genome stability, mitosis, nutrient metabolism, aging, mitochondrial function, and cell motility. Michael et. al. reported that B-site mutation (Q167A and H187A) decreased the SIRT2 activity but still the structural changes were not reported. Hence, we performed 5 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation on SIRT2 Apo-form and complexes with substrate/NAD(+) and inhibitor of wild type (WT), Q167A, and H187A. The results revealed that the assembly and disassembly of C-site induced by presence of substrate/NAD(+) and inhibitor, respectively. This assembly and disassembly was mainly due to the interaction between the substrate/NAD(+) and inhibitor and F96 and the distance between F96 and H187 which are present at the neck of the C-site. MD simulations suggest that the conformational change of L3 plays a major role in assembly and disassembly of C-site. Our current results strongly suggest that the distinct conformational change of L3 as well as the assembly and disassembly of C-site plays an important role in SIRT2 deacetylation function. Our study unveiled the structural changes of SIRT2 in presence of NAD(+) and inhibitor which should be helpful to improve the inhibitory potency of SIRT2.
Insights
Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) deacetylation activity is regulated by conformational changes in its catalytic site, influenced by substrate/NAD(+) and inhibitors. Understanding these structural dynamics can enhance SIRT2 inhibitor development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Sirtuins are NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases regulating critical cellular processes.
- SIRT2 mutations (Q167A, H187A) reduce activity, but structural basis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural dynamics of wild-type (WT) and mutant SIRT2.
- To elucidate the role of substrate/NAD(+) and inhibitors in SIRT2 structural changes.
Main Methods:
- 5 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of SIRT2 Apo-form.
- MD simulations of WT, Q167A, and H187A SIRT2 complexes with substrate/NAD(+) and inhibitor.
Main Results:
- Substrate/NAD(+) binding induces C-site assembly, while inhibitor binding causes disassembly.
- Interactions involving F96 and the F96-H187 distance are key to C-site dynamics.
- Conformational changes in the L3 loop significantly impact C-site assembly/disassembly.
Conclusions:
- Distinct L3 loop conformational changes and C-site dynamics are crucial for SIRT2 deacetylation.
- Elucidating SIRT2 structural changes aids in improving the potency of SIRT2 inhibitors.
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