Sugar accelerates chronological aging in yeast via ceramides

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Aging Research

Background:

• High carbohydrate intake is linked to age-associated diseases.
• Dietary sugar overload impacts cellular health and longevity.
• Understanding sugar's molecular effects during aging is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular effects of sugar overload on aging yeast.
• To identify key molecular players in sugar-induced cell death.
• To explore the role of ceramides in sugar stress and aging.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism.
• Assessed chronological lifespan, cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and neutral lipid levels.
• Analyzed ceramide profiles and manipulated nutrient signaling pathways (Tor1, Vac8) and sphingolipid synthesis.

Main Results:

• High glucose and fructose decreased chronological lifespan and increased cell death, ROS, and neutral lipids.
• Altered ceramide profiles were observed under sugar overload conditions.
• Deletion of Tor1 or Vac8, or pharmacological inhibition of sphingolipid synthesis, improved survival and normalized ceramide levels.
• Pharmacological ceramide accumulation shortened lifespan.

Conclusions:

• Findings causally link nutrient signaling and altered ceramide profiles to sugar-induced cell death in aging yeast.
• Ceramides appear to play a significant role in sugar stress-induced mortality.
• This study provides a foundation for developing interventions against sugar toxicity in aging.