Authors: Longo VD; Ellerby LM; Bredesen DE; Valentine JS; Gralla EB
Abstract: We expressed the human anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to investigate its effects on antioxidant protection and stationary phase survival. Yeast lacking copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (sod1Delta) show a profound defect in entry into and survival during stationary phase even under conditions optimal for survival of wild-type strains (incubation in water after stationary phase is reached). Expression of Bcl-2 in the sod1Delta strain caused a large improvement in viability at entry into stationary phase, as well as increased resistance to 100% oxygen and increased catalase activity. In addition, Bcl-2 expression reduced mutation frequency in both wild-type and sod1Delta strains. In another set of experiments, wild-type yeast incubated in expired minimal medium instead of water lost viability quickly; expression of Bcl-2 significantly delayed this stationary phase death. Our results demonstrate that Bcl-2 has activities in yeast that are similar to activities it is known to possess in mammalian cells: (a) stimulation of antioxidant protection and (b) delay of processes leading to cell death.
Keywords: *Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Gene Transfer Techniques; Humans; Mutation; Oxidative Stress; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/*genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/*genetics/growth & development; Superoxide Dismutase/*genetics|
Journal: The Journal of cell biology Volume: 137 Issue: 7 Pages: 1581-8 Date: June 30, 1997 PMID: 9199172 |
Longo VD, Ellerby LM, Bredesen DE, Valentine JS, Gralla EB (1997) Human Bcl-2 reverses survival defects in yeast lacking superoxide dismutase and delays death of wild-type yeast. The Journal of cell biology 137: 1581-8.
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