The Sirtuin family: therapeutic targets to treat diseases of aging

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2008 Feb;12(1):11-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.01.019. Epub 2008 Mar 7.

Abstract

Sirtuins have emerged as therapeutic targets to treat age-related diseases. There are seven human Sirtuins (SIRT1-7) that display diversity in cellular localization and function. Growing evidence suggests that small-molecule activators of SIRT1 may counteract age-related afflictions such as type 2 diabetes. Alternatively, inhibitors of SIRT2 may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Recent discoveries of small-molecule and protein modulators of Sirtuin deacetylation activity have provided enormous insight into the biological and molecular functions of Sirtuins and have validated their potential as therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / pathology*
  • Drug Design
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Geriatrics*
  • Humans
  • Sirtuins / agonists*
  • Sirtuins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Sirtuins / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Sirtuins