RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS - Screening of selected ageing related proteins that extend chronological life span in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

by Jee Whu Lee, Tee Gee Ong, Mohammed Razip Samian, Aik‑HongTeh, Nobumoto Watanabe, Hiroyuki Osada & Eugene Boon Beng Ong

Humans contain many genes related to ageing, but the functions of most of the proteins coded by these genes are not known. In a study led by Eugene Ong from INFORMM, the model organism yeast was used to screen proteins for their ability to extend the yeast's chronological life span. Out of the yeast proteins which were homologous to the human ageing-related proteins, 15 were chosen and expressed in yeast. The screen shows that seven of them (Ptc4, Zwf1, Sme1, Cpr3, Kss1, Ump1 and Sod1) can extend yeast life span. Overexpression of Ptc4, Zwf1 and Sme1 led to a higher survival percentage and shorter doubling time of yeast growth. Ptc4 and Sme1 were stable, and Ptc4 contributed to thermal and oxidative stress tolerances in yeast. Ptc4 or Zwf1 overexpression also promoted rapid cell proliferation during yeast growth, suggesting their involvement in growth pathways. Future studies will focus on the mechanisms of these proteins for protecting yeast against chronological ageing.

Link:  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-03490-7.pdf

CCB Ref:.  2022_RH_01_tah
Date:  03/06/2022