Sirt6 prevents the age-related decline of H <sub>2</sub> S through the control of one-carbon metabolism

N Noga Touitou (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) L Liat Nahum (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) S Sarit Feldman-Trabelsi (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) M Matan Y. Avivi (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) M Miguel A. Aon (Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH) S Shoshana Naiman (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) M Moran Rathaus (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) A Asaf A. Gertler (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) A Asael Roichman L Lia Berkman Dvir (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) M Michel Bernier (Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH) N Nirad Banskota (Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH) L Lir Beck (Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University) R Ron Nagar (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) Z Zacharia Schwartz (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) N Nathan L. Price (Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging) M Michal Harel (Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University) B Batia Lerrer (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University) I Isao Ishii (Department of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University) H Hanoch Senderowitz (Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University) R Ruin Moaddel (Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH) T Tamar Geiger R Rafael de Cabo (Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH) H Haim Y. Cohen (The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University)

Abstract

Mice overexpressing Sirt6 or fed a caloric restriction (CR) diet live longer with improved health. CR increases Sirt6 levels, and its beneficial effects are mediated by the gasotransmitter H 2 S, a one-carbon pathway product. Yet, the role of this pathway in Sirt6-regulated longevity remains elusive. Here, we show that Sirt6 controls hepatic one-carbon metabolism, preventing the aging-dependent H 2 S reduction, and the elevation of the methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Sirt6 downregulates Slc7a11 expression in an Sp1-dependent manner, decreasing cystine uptake and increasing Cgl H 2 S production activity. Additionally, comparative acetylome in old livers revealed Sirt6-related differential acetylation of most of the one-carbon enzymes. Specifically, Sirt6-dependent Matα1 K235 deacetylation reduces its SAM production activity and Cbs binding, thereby reducing its activation of Cbs-dependent H 2 S production. The net outcome is H 2 S and SAM levels as observed in young animals. Thus, we unveil a fundamental mechanism for the promotion of healthy longevity by Sirt6.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 46
Published November 18, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (24)

N

Noga Touitou

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

L

Liat Nahum

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

S

Sarit Feldman-Trabelsi

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

M

Matan Y. Avivi

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

M

Miguel A. Aon

Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH

S

Shoshana Naiman

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

M

Moran Rathaus

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

A

Asaf A. Gertler

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

A

Asael Roichman

L

Lia Berkman Dvir

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

M

Michel Bernier

Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH

N

Nirad Banskota

Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH

L

Lir Beck

Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

R

Ron Nagar

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

Z

Zacharia Schwartz

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

N

Nathan L. Price

Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging

M

Michal Harel

Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

B

Batia Lerrer

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

I

Isao Ishii

Department of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University

H

Hanoch Senderowitz

Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University

R

Ruin Moaddel

Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH

T

Tamar Geiger

R

Rafael de Cabo

Translational Gerontology Branch and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH

H

Haim Y. Cohen

The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University