Antero Salminen and Kai Kaarnirant wrote a mini review on rDNA and sirtuins — Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications journal (received 3 November 2008, available online 14 November 2008). They stated that transcription and silencing of rRNA genes are controlled by several forms of epigenetic regulation. They further noted that SIRT1 could be a yin-yang type of anti-aging factor. It could improve chronological longevity of post-mitotic cells by repressing rRNA transcription. It could also support replication by maintaining rDNA stability thru repression of rDNA recombination.
Fig. 1. A schematic presentation depicting the yin-yang role of SIRT1 in the regulation of replicative and organismal aging via epigenetic complexes which can repress either rDNA locus recombination or rRNA gene transcription.
DRUSE 