Sirtuins as emerging anti-parasitic targets

Silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) enzymes or sirtuins are a family of NAD+-dependent protein Nε-acetyl-lysine (AcK) deacetylases. Sirtuins are also evolutionarily conserved proteins that are present in all kingdoms of life ranging from bacteria to humans. Interestingly, it was recently found that the sirtuins found in various human parasites (especially the Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania species) were pro-survival for the parasites under various conditions. Therefore, these parasitic sirtuins have emerged as novel anti-parasitic therapeutic targets. This article reviews the currently available structural, biochemical, pharmacological, and medicinal chemistry studies on these enzymes, and discusses the perspectives of selectively targeting the parasitic sirtuins as a novel therapeutic strategy for the human parasitic diseases.

The sirtuin enzymes found in human parasites have emerged as novel anti-parasitic therapeutic targets. This article reviews the currently available structural, biochemical, pharmacological, and medicinal chemistry studies on these enzymes.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Human parasitic sirtuins have emerged as novel anti-parasitic therapeutic targets.
► Sirtuins are found in the Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania species.
► This article reviews the currently available studies on the parasitic sirtuins.
► Structural, biochemical, pharmacological, medicinal chemistry studies are reviewed.
► The idea of sirtuins as anti-parasitic targets is further heightened in this review.