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Updated: May 9, 2026
12:41
Measuring Replicative Life Span in the Budding Yeast
Published on: June 25, 2009
Studying the replicative life span of yeast cells
1Paul F. Glenn Laboratories for the Molecular Biology of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 10, 2013
Summary
Calorie restriction (CR) extends life span in various species. This study details methods for calorically restricting yeast, measuring their replicative life span (RLS), and analyzing aging factors like extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs).
Area of Science:
- Aging research
- Cellular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Calorie restriction (CR) is a well-studied intervention known to delay aging and age-related diseases in mammals.
- CR's life-extending effects have been observed across diverse species, including unicellular organisms, invertebrates, and rodents.
- The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as a valuable model organism for investigating aging pathways and environmental influences on lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline methodologies for implementing calorie restriction in yeast.
- To describe techniques for assessing yeast replicative life span (RLS).
- To detail methods for analyzing key aging factors in yeast, such as extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs).
Main Methods:
- Caloric restriction protocols for Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Determination of replicative life span (RLS) in budding yeast.
- Mother Enrichment Program (MEP) for selective daughter cell elimination.
- Measurement of recombination frequency at the rDNA locus.
- Isolation of aged yeast cells.
- Analysis of extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs).
Main Results:
- Established protocols for caloric restriction and RLS measurement in yeast.
- Demonstrated methods for analyzing rDNA recombination and ERC formation.
- Provided a framework for studying aging mechanisms in a model organism.
Conclusions:
- Yeast models offer powerful tools for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of aging.
- Caloric restriction and associated molecular changes can be effectively studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Understanding factors like ERCs is crucial for elucidating aging processes.
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