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Tributyltin induces Yca1p-dependent cell death of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Abstract:
Tributyltin chloride (TBT), an environmental pollutant, is toxic to a variety of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Although it has been reported that TBT induces apoptotic cell death in mammalian, the action of TBT on eukaryotic microorganisms has not yet been fully investigated. In this study we examined the mechanism involved in cell death caused by TBT exposure in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The median lethal concentration of TBT was 10 microM for the parent strain BY4741 and 3 microM for the pdr5Delta mutant defective in a major multidrug transporter, respectively. Fluorescence microscopic observations revealed nuclear condensation and chromatin fragmentation in cells treated with TBT indicating that cells underwent an apoptosis-like cell dearth. TBT-induced cell death was suppressed by deletion of the yca1 gene encoding a homologue of the mammalian caspase. In parallel, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were produced by TBT. These results suggest that TBT induces apoptosis-like cell death in yeast via an Yca1p-dependent pathway possibly downstream of the ROS production. This is the first report on TBT-induced apoptotic cell death in yeast.
Insights
Tributyltin chloride (TBT) induces apoptosis-like cell death in yeast. This process involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the Yca1p pathway, offering new insights into TBT toxicity mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Tributyltin chloride (TBT) is a known environmental pollutant with toxic effects on various organisms.
- While TBT-induced apoptosis is documented in mammals, its impact on eukaryotic microorganisms remains under-explored.
- This study investigates the specific mechanisms of TBT-induced cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Discussion:
- TBT exposure triggers apoptosis-like cell death in yeast, evidenced by nuclear condensation and chromatin fragmentation.
- The deletion of the YCA1 gene, encoding a caspase homolog, significantly suppresses TBT-induced cell death.
- TBT exposure leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in yeast cells.
Key Insights:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits TBT-induced apoptotic cell death, a novel finding for this microorganism.
- The Yca1p pathway plays a crucial role in mediating TBT-induced cell death in yeast.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is implicated as an upstream event in the TBT-induced cell death pathway.
Outlook:
- Further research can elucidate the precise signaling cascade linking ROS production to Yca1p activation in TBT toxicity.
- Understanding yeast apoptosis mechanisms can provide broader insights into eukaryotic cell death pathways.
- Investigating TBT's effects on other eukaryotic microorganisms could reveal conserved toxicological mechanisms.
