title: Dimethyl sulphoxide modifies growth and senescence and induces the non-revertible petite phenotype in yeast.
abstract: Dimethyl sulphoxide is extensively used in chemical, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, but its specific biological actions remain largely elusive. The aim of this study was to comprehensively explore the effects of dimethyl sulphoxide on eukaryotic growth and senescence by using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a reliable model organism. Rather than focusing on single cells or on either the replicative or the chronological lifespan approach, well-established microbiological procedures were integrated to monitor a combination of physiological parameters. Cell proliferation, survival, reproductive competence and morphology were recorded at various time points during incubation of asynchronous yeast populations with increasing concentrations of dimethyl sulphoxide. The findings demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of the compound on yeast proliferation, survival and reproduction. In parallel, dimethyl sulphoxide induced the acquisition of the non-revertible petite phenotype and promoted morphological alterations that characterize senescence, driving the yeast populations towards the reproductive incompetent state. These findings point to the need for the investigation of the complex cellular and/or molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of dimethyl sulphoxide in eukaryotic cells and for the evaluation of their exploitation potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kakolyri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margaritou
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11527 Athens, Greece aityliga@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Ekaterini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tiligada
mesh_terms: D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide
keywords: dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO); growth; morphology; petite; senescence; yeast