Polyamine deficiency leads to accumulation of reactive oxygen species in a spe2Delta mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
We have previously shown that polyamine-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae are very sensitive to incubation in oxygen. The current studies show that, even under more physiological conditions (i.e. growth in air), polyamine-deficient cells accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These cells develop an apoptotic phenotype and, after incubation in polyamine-deficient medium, die. To show a specific effect of polyamines on ROS accumulation, uncomplicated by any effects on growth, spermine was added to spermidine-deficient spe2Delta fms1Delta cells, since spermine does not affect the growth of this strain. In this strain, spermine addition caused a marked, but not complete, decrease in the accumulation of ROS and a moderate protection against cell death. In other experiments with polyamine-deficient cells containing plasmids that overexpress superoxide dismutases (SOD1, SOD2), ROS decreased but with only a partial protection against cell death. Polyamine-deficient cells incubated anaerobically show markedly less cell death. These data show that part of the function of polyamines is protection of the cells from accumulation of ROS.
Chattopadhyay
Manas K
MK
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, Building 8, Room 223, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Tabor
Celia White
CW
Tabor
Herbert
H
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009154:Mutation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013095:Spermidine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013096:Spermine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012235:Rhodamines; C058319:dihydrorhodamine 123; D013096:Spermine; C037631:2',7'-dichlorofluorescein; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D013095:Spermidine