Sirtuins and mitochondrial dysfunction

Abstract Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent deacylases positioning within the metabolic node of the cells. Proteomic studies indicate that sirtuins regulate metabolic networks to coordinate cellular stress response. Specifically, sirtuins control the biogenesis and metabolism of mitochondria, which are cellular powerhouses. Deregulation of sirtuins links to disorders in mitochondrial function and has been implicated with various human diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Here we review recent studies concerning the roles of sirtuins in the pathogenesis of mitochondrial dysfunction-related diseases, with a special focus on how sirtuins regulate the biological function of mitochondria.