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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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An Optimized LIVE/DEAD Assay Coupled with Flow Cytometry for Quantifying Post-Stress Survival in Yeast Cells
Published on: August 29, 2025
Reliable method for detection of programmed cell death in yeast.
Xinchen Teng1, J Marie Hardwick
1Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 18, 2009
Summary
Yeasts can undergo programmed cell death (PCD) for species survival, sharing pathways with mammals. A new assay using vital dye staining reliably detects genetically programmed yeast cell death.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Evidence suggests yeasts undergo programmed cell death (PCD) for species survival.
- Yeast and mammalian PCD pathways may be conserved.
- Mammalian apoptosis assays are not easily applicable to yeast.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a yeast cell death assay for studying PCD.
- To utilize yeast as a genetic tool for PCD research.
- To investigate the role of mitochondrial fission genes in yeast PCD.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel yeast cell death assay.
- Quantified cell viability using colony formation and vital dye (FUN1) staining.
- Tested wild-type strains and strains lacking mitochondrial fission genes (DNM1/Drp1, FIS1).
Main Results:
- The assay reliably detects differences in viability between yeast strains.
- Demonstrated dose-dependent, genetically programmed yeast cell death.
- Identified mitochondrial fission genes (DNM1/Drp1, FIS1) as regulators of yeast PCD.
Conclusions:
- The developed assay is effective for studying genetically programmed yeast cell death.
- Yeast serves as a valuable genetic model for conserved PCD pathways.
- Mitochondrial fission is implicated in yeast cell death regulation.
