Recent advances in glioblastoma (GB) research have shed light on the molecular characteristics, the defected intracellular signaling pathways, and the genetic and epigenetic alterations involved in their pathogenesis. Despite constant efforts, GB remains an aggressive malignant tumor with limited therapeutic approaches, poor prognosis, and a low survival rate. Emerging evidence points towards the crucial impact of epigenetic post-translational modifications in cancer development with emphasis on the regulatory role of histone deacetylation in several key cellular processes, including metabolic pathways, regulation of stress response, senescence, proliferation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. The silent information regulator proteins (Sirtuins) are deacetylases of histone and non-histone proteins that have been recently implicated in the initiation as well as in the progression of GB. Herein, we provide a critical overview of the emerging functional role and mechanism of action of the seven Sirtuins (SIRT1-7) in GB and discuss their potential targeting options in clinical practice.
Keywords: DNA repair; cell metabolism; deacetylation; histones; mitochondrial regulators; prognosis; proliferation; stress response.