Why sirtuins could be the missing link to cracking longevity and anti-aging

Exercise, good nutrition, and accessibility to affordable healthcare; these are just some of the factors essential to enhancing longevity. But as science delves deeper into the study of longevity and anti-aging from a cellular standpoint, groundbreaking discoveries are being made that could change the way we approach cell preservation and anti-aging altogether. One of these discoveries is sirtuins: Sirtuins, also known as silent information regulator proteins, are anti-aging proteins that are core to the science of longevity. Human cells have seven sirtuins (SIRT 1 to SIRT 7) that perform different functions within a cell. Of these seven sirtuins, three of them (SIRT 3,4, and 5) are used to control the generation of power for the requirements of the cells, as well as to ensure the proper functioning of the mitochondria. These sirtuins also play a critical role in cellular antioxidant balance and lipid metabolism. Another three sirtuins, SIRT 1, 6, and 7, control the genetic framework in the cell and play a critical role in gene expression and DNA repair. As for the final sirtuin, SIRT 2, it regulates the environmental processes within the cell as well as the functioning of the cytoplasm (the liquid contents of the cell). Clearly, sirtuins are vital in maintaining the integrity of the cellular genetic structure. They keep the genetic material (chromatin) in a “wound up” protected state to minimize damage and repair damaged DNA. But how do they do this, exactly? Well, telomeres are terminal ends that protect chromosomes from being violated and frayed. Once the telomeres shorten, they leave the chromosomes exposed and highly susceptible to damage. Many proteins in the cells also have a chemical tag called an acetyl group attached to them. Sirtuins come in by removing the acetyl group from other molecules or proteins, thereby affecting the activity of the protein. This action greatly affects chromatin, the genetic material of the cell. You see, DNA is wrapped around groups of proteins called histones, which then allow the genetic material, chromatin, to be packed more compactly. When the histone protein still has the acetyl group, it causes the chromatin to be partially unwound, thereby exposing this unwound DNA to be copied. Once copied, the gene instructions are then passed on to another cell or protein. Unfortunately, once the instructions are copied, the chromatin will remain unwound, leaving it vulnerable to damage. Sirtuins, on the other hand, remove the acetyl group thereby allowing the chromatin to be closed up and wounded tightly; preventing DNA material from being copied, and in turn, silencing the gene. Sirtuins also target proteins involved in the copying of genetic information and proteins involved in the repair of DNA. They regulate the production of the enzyme, telomerase, which is essential for telomere elongation and maintenance of the integrity of the telomere. Many human cells have insufficient telomerase, leading to shortening of the telomere which is a strong indicator of cellular aging. Elongating the chromosomal telomere is like reversing the biological clock. Sirtuins also prevent nerve fiber degeneration, a process that is common in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and leads to the death of nerve cells. With that being said, making lifestyle and dietary choices that increase sirtuin activity could potentially prolong longevity and slow down the aging process.