Sirtuins are NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylases that regulate gene silencing, energy metabolism and aging from bacteria to mammals. SIRT3, a mammalian mitochondrial sirtuin, deacetylates acetyl-CoA synthetase (AceCS2) in the mitochondria. AceCS2 is conserved from bacteria to humans, catalyzes the conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA and enables peripheral tissues to utilize acetate during fasting conditions. Here, we review the regulation of acetate metabolism by sirtuins, the remarkable conservation of this metabolic regulatory pathway and its emerging role in the regulation of aging and longevity.