Biopolymers and Cell. 2012; 28(2): 93-102

 

SIRTUINS – UNIVERSAL REGULATORS OF CELL FUNCTION

 

Kaidashev I. P.


Higher Medical Educational Institution of Ukraine «Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy»
23, Shevchenko Str., Poltava, Ukraine, 36023

The silent information regulator (SIR) genes code for a highly conserved family of proteins from bacteria to mammals – sirtuins. Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases with diverse physiological functions relating to cell survival, inflammation, energy metabolism, cancer. They are a part of complicated biological response system that influences many other regulator molecules and pathways. Sirtuins respond in an epigenetic manner to a variety of environmental factors, such as: dietary, lifestyle, toxins, etc. The data on the importance of vitamin B3 in supporting the sirtuin enzyme activity and a role of nicotinamide in inhibiting this activity are summarized. This mode of regulation may be exploited to manipulate the sirtuins activity in the context of various pathological conditions.

 


Keywords: sirtuins, deacetylase, epigenetics, ADP-ribosyltransferase, regulation

 

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