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Quantifying Yeast Chronological Life Span by Outgrowth of Aged Cells
Published on: May 6, 2009
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Methods to Assess Autophagy and Chronological Aging in Yeast
K Kainz1, J Tadic1, A Zimmermann1
1Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Methods in Enzymology
|February 27, 2017
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, is vital for longevity. This study details methods to measure yeast cell survival and autophagy during aging, linking these processes to lifespan extension.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Aging Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Autophagy is a fundamental catabolic process essential for cellular homeostasis and adaptation.
- Autophagy is implicated in longevity and required for lifespan extension.
- The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a key model organism for studying autophagy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present protocols for monitoring yeast cell survival and autophagy during chronological aging.
- To establish methods for quantifying autophagic flux in yeast.
- To facilitate research on the connection between autophagy and lifespan extension.
Main Methods:
- Propidium iodide staining to assess cell membrane integrity.
- Clonogenic assays to determine yeast survival rates.
- Alkaline phosphatase activity and GFP liberation assays to quantify autophagic flux.
Main Results:
- Established protocols allow for direct measurement of yeast survival.
- Methods are available to quantify autophagic flux by assessing cargo delivery to the vacuole.
- These protocols enable the evaluation of the relationship between autophagy and lifespan in yeast.
Conclusions:
- Standardized protocols are crucial for studying the role of autophagy in aging.
- Yeast provides a powerful model for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of autophagy and aging.
- This work summarizes key methods for investigating the link between autophagy and lifespan extension.
