Apoptosis in yeasts.
Although yeasts lack some elements of the complex apoptotic machinery of metazoan cells, recent studies show that many features of apoptosis, including a caspase-like activity, can be induced in these organisms by DNA damage and other apoptotic triggers. These remarkable findings provide a compelling argument for increased efforts to bring the powerful genetic approaches available to yeast researchers more directly to bear on questions related to apoptosis and its induction or inhibition by drugs. Yeasts may provide a particularly useful model for understanding connections between DNA damage, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Here we summarize these recent findings and explore their implications, particularly for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for treating cancer.
Weinberger
Martin
M
Dept. of Cancer Genetics and Biophysical Therapies Program, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Ramachandran
Lakshmi
L
Burhans
William C
WC
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle; D004249:DNA Damage; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D012568:Schizosaccharomyces / Q000235:genetics; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D020169:Caspases