Sirtuins in DNA repair

DNA repair involves number of processes required for detection and repair of DNA damage. The ability to repair existing damage is crucial for preservation of both physical integrity of the genome and fidelity of genetic information. Genetic insults may derive from either metabolic reactions inside the cell or come from exogenous environment. Sirtuins belong to the class of histone deacetylases that catalyze the removal of acetyl moieties from the lysine residues of both histone and nonhistone proteins. Furthermore, some sirtuins exhibit mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase activity that regulates activity of various proteins. The first sirtuin was identified in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), however both prokaryotic and eukaryotic homologs of sirtuins were later discovered. Seven mammalian homologs (SIRT1-SIRT7) exist. Sirtuins represent an emerging group of enzymes that coordinate DNA repair in respect of cellular metabolic status and may have a prominent role in neoplastic transformation, diabetes, ageing and age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration. The aim of this paper is to review recent research on the role of sirtuins in DNA repair processes.