Yeast aging research: recent advances and medical relevance

The molecular mechanisms of aging are most fully understood for the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recent advances in our understanding of aging in this organism have enabled researchers to answer some fundamental questions about the aging process. Is aging due to a multitude of 'mecha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 1999-11, Vol.56 (9-10), p.807-816
Main Author: Sinclair, D A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Aging - genetics
Aging - physiology
Cellular Senescence - genetics
Cellular Senescence - physiology
DNA Helicases - genetics
DNA Helicases - metabolism
Fecundity
Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
Gene Silencing
Genes, Fungal - genetics
Genomics
Heterochromatin - genetics
Heterochromatin - metabolism
Humans
Longevity - genetics
Longevity - physiology
Mitosis
Molecular biology
Proteins
Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - cytology
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - enzymology
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - genetics
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism
Yeast
Yeasts
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Summary:The molecular mechanisms of aging are most fully understood for the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recent advances in our understanding of aging in this organism have enabled researchers to answer some fundamental questions about the aging process. Is aging due to a multitude of 'mechanisms' or can there be a key few? Can we design single-gene mutations that will prolong life? Can we prolong life whilst maintaining health and fecundity? The various contributing factors to yeast longevity, uncovered thus far, fall into three classes: DNA metabolism, heterochromatin, and metabolic activity. However, these separate classes may actually represent different aspects of the same aging mechanism based on genome stability. This review examines the recent advances in our understanding of yeast aging and discusses their relevance, if any, to the human condition.
ISSN:1420-682X
1420-9071
DOI:10.1007/s000180050027