What Are Sirtuins? Sirtuin Activation Explained
The seven sirtuins
| Enzyme | Where it mainly acts |
|---|---|
| SIRT1, SIRT6, SIRT7 | Cell nucleus |
| SIRT2 | Cytoplasm |
| SIRT3, SIRT4, SIRT5 | Mitochondria |
They are deacetylases: they strip acetyl groups from proteins, including the histones that DNA is wound around. Because that affects which genes are accessible, sirtuins sit close to gene regulation, which is why they attracted so much research attention.
Why NAD+ keeps coming up
Sirtuins consume NAD+ as a co-substrate rather than borrowing it. Every deacetylation reaction uses a molecule of NAD+ up. This makes sirtuin activity dependent on NAD+ availability, and is the mechanistic link between NAD+ precursors such as NMN and the sirtuin literature.
Where resveratrol enters the story
Early 2000s work reported that resveratrol activated SIRT1, which is what launched resveratrol into public awareness. That finding was later contested: subsequent studies argued the effect was partly an artefact of the fluorescent substrate used in the assay, and the mechanism was debated for years afterwards.
The honest position. Whether resveratrol activates SIRT1 directly, indirectly through AMPK, or largely not at all in humans, is not settled. We sell resveratrol because it is a well-characterised, testable compound with a long research history, not because the sirtuin question has been answered.
What actually influences sirtuin activity
- NAD+ availability, the co-substrate requirement described above.
- Energy status. Sirtuin research is closely tied to studies of caloric restriction and fasting.
- Exercise, particularly in skeletal muscle and mitochondrial contexts.
- Circadian rhythm, since NAD+ synthesis follows a daily cycle.
The verifiable part
Resveratrol Certificates of Analysis | Resveratrol supplements | What is NMN?
Common questions
What is a sirtuin activator?
A term used for compounds reported to increase sirtuin activity, resveratrol being the best known. The category is defined by laboratory findings, several of which remain debated.
Do sirtuins control ageing?
Sirtuins are studied in ageing biology, particularly in model organisms. Extrapolating from that to human lifespan is a much larger claim than the evidence supports.
This page is educational and summarises enzymology and the state of published research. It does not describe an effect of any product. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
