Aims:
Sirtuins, a family of
NAD+-dependent deacetylases, are recognized as nondispensable regulators of aging processes.
Sirtuin 3 (
SIRT3) is the main mitochondrial deacetylase that maintains mitochondrial bioenergetics, an essential prerequisite for healthy aging. In this study, using
Sirt3 knockout (
Sirt3-/-) mice, we sought to establish whether
Sirt3 deficiency affected life span, an endpoint that has never been tested formally in mammals, and uncover the mechanisms involved in organ damage associated with aging. Results:
Sirt3-/- mice experienced a shorter life span than wild-type mice and severe cardiac damage, characterized by
hypertrophy and
fibrosis, as they aged. No alterations were found in organs other than the heart.
Sirt3 deficiency altered cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetics and caused hyperacetylation of
optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), a
SIRT3 target. These changes were associated with aberrant alignment of trans-mitochondrial cristae in cardiomyocytes, and cardiac dysfunction. Gene transfer of deacetylated Opa1 restored cristae alignment in
Sirt3-/- mice, ameliorated cardiac reserve capacity, and protected the heart against
hypertrophy and
fibrosis. The translational relevance of these findings is in the data showing that
SIRT3 silencing in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes led to
mitochondrial dysfunction and altered contractile phenotype, both rescued by Opa1 gene transfer. Innovation: Our findings indicate that future approaches to
heart failure could include
SIRT3 as a plausible therapeutic target. Conclusion:
SIRT3 has a major role in regulating mammalian life span.
Sirt3 deficiency leads to cardiac abnormalities, due to defective trans-mitochondrial cristae alignment and impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics. Correcting cardiac OPA1 hyperacetylation through gene transfer diminished
heart failure in
Sirt3-/- mice during aging. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 31, 1255-1271.