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Deacetylation Assays to Unravel the Interplay between Sirtuins SIRT2 and Specific Protein-substrates
Published on: February 27, 2016
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Sirtuins are evolutionarily conserved viral restriction factors
Emre Koyuncu, Hanna G Budayeva1, Yana V Miteva1
1Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
Mbio
|December 18, 2014
Summary
Sirtuins, a family of enzymes, possess broad-spectrum antiviral properties. Activating these sirtuins can inhibit the replication of diverse DNA and RNA viruses, offering a new therapeutic strategy against viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Sirtuins are conserved NAD(+)-dependent enzymes regulating cellular functions.
- Viruses pose significant health threats, necessitating broad-spectrum antiviral strategies.
- Current antiviral drugs often target specific viral proteins, leading to resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiviral properties of all seven human sirtuins.
- To explore sirtuins as potential targets for broad-spectrum antiviral therapies.
- To establish sirtuins as a conserved component of the host immune defense system.
Main Methods:
- Small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated knockdown of sirtuins.
- Drug-mediated inhibition and activation of sirtuin enzymatic activity.
- Assessing viral progeny production and replication for DNA and RNA viruses, including human cytomegalovirus and influenza A.
- Investigating the role of the sirtuin homologue CobB in Escherichia coli against bacteriophages.
Main Results:
- Knockdown or inhibition of sirtuins increased viral replication.
- Sirtuin-activating drugs inhibited replication of diverse viruses (DNA and RNA).
- Sirtuin's antiviral defense is evolutionarily conserved, with CobB protecting against bacteriophages.
Conclusions:
- Sirtuins exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity against various DNA and RNA viruses.
- Sirtuin-activating drugs represent a promising therapeutic approach for viral infections.
- Sirtuins are ancient, conserved immune defense factors with potential for novel antiviral treatments.
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