Distinct roles of processes modulated by histone deacetylases Rpd3p, Hda1p, and Sir2p in life extension by caloric restriction in yeast.

Caloric restriction has been demonstrated to extend life span and postpone aging in a variety of species. The recent extension of the caloric restriction paradigm to yeast places the emphasis of the search for the longevity effectors at the cellular level. To narrow the range of potential effectors of the caloric restriction response, we have examined the effects of the histone deacetylases Rpd3p, Hda1p, and Sir2p, which have distinguishable but partially overlapping influences on global patterns of gene expression, on the life extension afforded by caloric restriction. Deletion of the RPD3 gene extended life span, and there was no additive effect of caloric restriction. Deletion of HDA1 had no effect of its own on longevity but acted synergistically with caloric restriction to increase life span. SIR2 deletion shortened life span but did not prevent extension of life span by caloric restriction. The results suggest that Rpd3p affects both processes that play an obligate and those that play a synergistic role in life extension by caloric restriction, while Hda1p and Sir2p affect processes that are not the obligate longevity effectors of caloric restriction but instead synergize with them, although in opposite directions. From the known patterns of gene expression elicited by rpd3delta, hda1delta, and sir2delta, we propose that the major longevity effectors of caloric restriction in yeast involve carbohydrate/energy metabolism and mitochondrial function.

Profiles of random change during aging contain hidden information about longevity and the aging process.

Many different morphological and physiological changes occur during the yeast replicative lifespan. It has been proposed that change is a cause rather than an effect of aging. It is difficult to ascribe causality to processes that manifest themselves at the level of the entire organism, because of their global nature. Although causal connections can be established for processes that occur at the molecular level, their exact contributions are obscured, because they are immersed in a highly interactive network of processes. A top-down approach that can isolate crucial features of aging processes for further study may be a productive avenue. We have mathematically depicted the complicated and random changes that occur in cellular spatial organization during the lifespan of individual yeast cells. We call them budding profiles. This has allowed us to demonstrate that budding profiles are a highly individual characteristic, and that they are correlated with an individual cell's longevity. Additional information can be extracted from our model, indicating that random budding is associated with longevity. This expectation was confirmed, providing new avenues for exploring causal factors in yeast aging. The methodology described here can be readily applied to other aspects of aging in yeast and in higher organisms.

Effect of stress on the life span of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A correlation is known to exist in yeast and other organisms between the cellular resistance to stress and the life span. The aim of this study was to examine whether stress treatment does affect the generative life span of yeast cells. Both heat shock (38 degrees C, 30 min) and osmotic stress (0.3 M NaCl, 1 h) applied cyclically were found to increase the mean and maximum life span of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both effects were more pronounced in superoxide dismutase-deficient yeast strains (up to 50% prolongation of mean life span and up to 30% prolongation of maximum life span) than in their wild-type counterparts. These data point to the importance of the antioxidant barrier in the stress-induced prolongation of yeast life span.

Deficiency in superoxide dismutases shortens life span of yeast cells.

Deficiencies in superoxide dismutases (Cu,ZnSOD or Mn-SOD) strongly shorten the life span of yeast cells. The effects of these deficiencies are additive. In contrast, deficiencies in catalases do not influence life span. Our results confirm that free radical processes may be involved in aging.

Protective role of superoxide dismutase in iron toxicity in yeast.

It has been found that yeast mutants deficient in cytosolic superoxide dismutase CuZnSOD are hypersensitive to ferrous iron. In contrast mutants that are deficient in catalases and cytochrome c peroxidase do not differ from the standard strain in this respect. These findings suggest that iron toxicity may depend on the redox status of the cell. They also shed light on the role of superoxide dismutases in preventing the toxic effects of oxygen.

Iron toxicity in yeast.

It has been found that yeast cells are sensitive to iron overload only when grown on glucose as a carbon source. Effective concentration of ferrous iron is much higher than that found in natural environments. Effects of ferrous iron are strictly oxygen dependent, what suggest that the formation of hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton reaction is a cause of the toxicity. Respiratory deficiency and pretreatment of cells with antimycin A prevent toxic effects in the late exponential phase of growth, whereas uncouplers and 2mM magnesium salts completely protect even the most vulnerable exponential cells. Generally, toxic effects correlate with the ability of cells to take up this metal. The results presented suggest that during ferrous iron overload iron is transported through the unspecific divalent cation uptake system which is known in fungi. The data suggest that recently described high and low affinity systems of iron uptake in yeast are the only source of iron in natural environments.