A quantitative yeast aging proteomics analysis reveals novel aging regulators

Calorie restriction (CR) is the most robust longevity intervention, extending lifespan from yeast to mammals. Numerous conserved pathways regulating aging and mediating CR have been identified; however, the overall proteomic changes during these conditions remain largely unexplored. We compared proteomes between young and replicatively aged yeast cells under normal and CR conditions using the Stable-Isotope Labeling by Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC) quantitative proteomics and discovered distinct signatures in the aging proteome. We found remarkable proteomic similarities between aged and CR cells, including induction of stress response pathways, providing evidence that CR pathways are engaged in aged cells. These observations also uncovered aberrant changes in mitochondria membrane proteins as well as a proteolytic cellular state in old cells. These proteomics analyses help identify potential genes and pathways that have causal effects on longevity.