Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Microarray Analysis for Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: April 7, 2011
Yeast signaling pathways in the oxidative stress response
Aminah Ikner1, Kazuhiro Shiozaki
1Section of Microbiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress that generates the reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the major causes of DNA damage and mutations. The "DNA damage checkpoint" that arrests cell cycle and repairs damaged DNA has been a focus of recent studies, and the genetically amenable model systems provided by yeasts have been playing a leading role in the eukaryotic checkpoint research. However, means to eliminate ROS are likely to be as important as the DNA repair mechanisms in order to suppress mutations in the chromosomal DNA, and yeasts also serve as excellent models to understand how eukaryotes combat oxidative stress. In this article, we present an overview of the signaling pathways that sense oxidative stress and induce expression of various anti-oxidant genes in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Three conserved signaling modules have been identified in the oxidative stress response of these diverse yeast species: the stress-responsive MAP kinase cascade, the multistep phosphorelay and the AP-1-like transcription factor. The structure and function of these signaling modules are discussed.
Insights
Yeasts combat oxidative stress, a source of DNA damage, using conserved signaling pathways. These pathways activate antioxidant genes, crucial for preventing mutations and maintaining genomic stability.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oxidative stress, caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a significant driver of DNA damage and mutations.
- DNA damage checkpoints are critical for cell cycle arrest and DNA repair, with yeast models being instrumental in their study.
- Combating ROS is as vital as DNA repair for preventing chromosomal mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of oxidative stress signaling pathways in diverse yeast species.
- To explore how these pathways induce antioxidant gene expression.
- To discuss conserved signaling modules involved in eukaryotic oxidative stress response.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of signaling pathways across Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Candida albicans.
- Review of literature on oxidative stress sensing and antioxidant gene induction.
- Examination of conserved signaling modules: MAP kinase cascade, multistep phosphorelay, and AP-1-like transcription factor.
Main Results:
- Identified three conserved signaling modules in yeast oxidative stress response.
- These modules include the stress-responsive MAP kinase cascade, multistep phosphorelay, and AP-1-like transcription factor.
- These pathways are conserved across different yeast species, indicating fundamental mechanisms for combating oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Conserved signaling modules are essential for yeast to sense oxidative stress and activate antioxidant defenses.
- Understanding these pathways in yeast provides insights into eukaryotic mechanisms for maintaining genomic integrity.
- These findings highlight the dual importance of DNA repair and ROS elimination in preventing mutations.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Yeast Signaling
01:30Other Stress Responses in Bacteria
01:31Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
01:24Other Glycolytic Pathways
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy