Gametogenesis eliminates age-induced cellular damage and resets life span in yeast

Science. 2011 Jun 24;332(6037):1554-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1204349.

Abstract

Eukaryotic organisms age, yet detrimental age-associated traits are not passed on to progeny. How life span is reset from one generation to the next is not known. We show that in budding yeast resetting of life span occurs during gametogenesis. Gametes (spores) generated by aged cells show the same replicative potential as gametes generated by young cells. Age-associated damage is no longer detectable in mature gametes. Furthermore, transient induction of a transcription factor essential for later stages of gametogenesis extends the replicative life span of aged cells. Our results indicate that gamete formation brings about rejuvenation by eliminating age-induced cellular damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Nucleolus / physiology
  • Cell Nucleolus / ultrastructure
  • DNA, Circular / genetics
  • DNA, Circular / metabolism
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Meiosis
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / ultrastructure
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Spores, Fungal / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA, Circular
  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • IME1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • NDT80 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • HsP104 protein, S cerevisiae