Apoptosis, Induced by Human α-Synuclein in Yeast, Can Occur Independent of Functional Mitochondria.

ABSTRACT: Human α-synuclein expression in baker's yeast reportedly induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Surprisingly, we find that, under de-repressing conditions of the inducible MET25/GAL1 promoters, yeast cells expressing chromosomally-integrated copies of the human α-synuclein gene are not killed, but spontaneously form respiration-deficient rho-minus (ρ^-) petites. Although yeast cells can undergo cell death (apoptosis) from loss of mitochondrial function, they can also survive without functional mitochondria. Such cells are referred to as ρ⁰ or ρ^- petites. This study reports that minimal expression of human α-synuclein in yeast, from MET25/GAL1 promoter, gives rise to ρ^- petites. Interestingly, the full expression of α-synucl

SUBMITTER: Akintade DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7601298 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature