A caspase-related protease regulates apoptosis in yeast

Frank Madeo; Eva Herker; Corinna Maldener; Silke Wissing; Stephan Lächelt; Mark Herlan; Markus Fehr; Kirsten Lauber; Stephan J Sigrist; Sebastian Wesselborg; Kai Uwe Fröhlich

doi:10.1016/s1097-2765(02)00501-4

A caspase-related protease regulates apoptosis in yeast

Mol Cell. 2002 Apr;9(4):911-7. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(02)00501-4.

Authors

Frank Madeo¹, Eva Herker, Corinna Maldener, Silke Wissing, Stephan Lächelt, Mark Herlan, Markus Fehr, Kirsten Lauber, Stephan J Sigrist, Sebastian Wesselborg, Kai Uwe Fröhlich

Affiliation

¹ Institute for Physiological Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 4, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. frank.madeo@uni-tuebingen.de

PMID: 11983181
DOI: 10.1016/s1097-2765(02)00501-4

Abstract

Yeast can undergo cell death accompanied by cellular markers of apoptosis. However, orthologs of classical mammalian apoptosis regulators appeared to be missing from the yeast genome, challenging a common mechanism of yeast and mammalian apoptosis. Here we investigate Yor197w, a yeast protein with structural homology to mammalian caspases, and demonstrate caspase-like processing of the protein. Hydrogen peroxide treatment induces apoptosis together with a caspase-like enzymatic activity in yeast. This response is completely abrogated after disruption and strongly stimulated after overexpression of Yor197w. Yor197w also mediates the death process within chronologically aged cultures, pointing to a physiological role in elimination of overaged cells. We conclude that Yor197w indeed functions as a bona fide caspase in yeast and propose the name Yeast Caspase-1 (YCA1, gene YCA1).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Apoptosis / drug effects
Apoptosis / physiology*
Caspases / biosynthesis
Caspases / genetics
Caspases / isolation & purification
Caspases / physiology*
Cellular Senescence
Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
Enzyme Induction / drug effects
Galactokinase / genetics
Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
Mitochondrial Proteins
Oxidants / pharmacology
Oxidative Stress
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / physiology
Ribosomal Proteins / physiology
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology*
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / biosynthesis
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / isolation & purification
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / physiology*

Substances

Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors
Mitochondrial Proteins
Oxidants
RSM23 protein, S cerevisiae
Recombinant Fusion Proteins
Ribosomal Proteins
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
Hydrogen Peroxide
Galactokinase
Caspases
MCA1 protein, S cerevisiae