SIRT3 and kidney injury: Our earlier findings that Sirt3-deficient mice under resting conditions do not show altered renal function but, after acute kidney injury, exhibited more severe disease and died prematurely28,79, can be reconciled with our current study highlighting a defecting kidney development in mice lacking Sirt3. Our study could have potential translational relevance considering a recent evidence in humans showing that a deficiency of the essential SIRT3 co-factor NAD+, due to mutations in genes involved in its biosynthesis, results in congenital renal defects80.