The Sirtuins in Aging and Metabolic Regulation

Abstract

Numerous theories of how and why aging occurs have been postulated but a definitive comprehensive explanation re-mains elusive. Attempts to unravel genetic details of aging resulted in the identification of a yeast gene known as Sir2 as a modulator of life span. Identification and characterization of mammalian Sir2 homologs followed and has cata-pulted aging research to exciting new levels. This review begins with basic definitions of aging and then describes some of the most common theories of the aging process. The review presents information related to the initial discovery of the Sirtuins and summarizes some of the recent advances in defining roles for Sirtuin family members. SIRT6 is dis-cussed in greater detail because it is one of the best characterized of the mammalian Sirtuins and seems to be one of the most important in the aging process and metabolic regulation.