In the present study, the downregulation of SIRT6 in TAC mice occurred in parallel with the downregulation of TERT and TRF1, and the increased survival in mice overexpressing SIRT6 was accompanied by the upregulation of these telomere-associated proteins, suggesting that the protective effects of SIRT6 are mediated by the regulation of telomere integrity. The gene discussed is TERT; the disease is persistent truncus arteriosus.