👤 Leonard Guarente

Mammalian sirtuins have diverse roles in aging, metabolism and disease. Recently we reported a new function for SIRT5 in urea cycle regulation. Our study uncovered that SIRT5 localized to mitochondria matrix and deacetylates carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1), an enzyme which is the first and rate-limiting step of urea cycle. Deacetylation of CPS1 by SIRT5 resulted in activation of CPS1 enzymatic activity. Indeed, SIRT5-deficient mice failed to up-regulate CPS1 activity and showed hyper ammonemia during fasting. Similar effects are also observed on high protein diet or calorie restriction. These data indicate SIRT5 also has an emerging role in the metabolic adaptation to fasting, high protein diet and calorie restriction. Show less

Sirtuins are NAD-dependent protein deacetylases that connect metabolism and aging. In mammals, there are seven sirtuins (SIRT1-7), three of which are associated with mitochondria. Here, we show that SIRT5 localizes in the mitochondrial matrix and interacts with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1), an enzyme, catalyzing the initial step of the urea cycle for ammonia detoxification and disposal. SIRT5 deacetylates CPS1 and upregulates its activity. During fasting, NAD in liver mitochondria increases, thereby triggering SIRT5 deacetylation of CPS1 and adaptation to the increase in amino acid catabolism. Indeed, SIRT5 KO mice fail to upregulate CPS1 activity and show elevated blood ammonia during fasting. Similar effects occur during long-term calorie restriction or a high protein diet. These findings demonstrate SIRT5 plays a pivotal role in ammonia detoxification and disposal by activating CPS1. Show less