Autophagy genes are required for chronological lifespan maintenance of yeast impaired in leucine biosynthesis pathway

초록

We have examined some mutants of leucine biosynthesis related genes and found that several deletion mutants increases yeast lifespan. Among those mutants, deletion of a gene drastically increased yeast lifespan comparable to that of tor1 deletion. In order to understand the mechanism by which yeast lifespan is regulated in the connection to leucine metabolism, we verified cellular levels of reactive oxygen species, cytochrome C oxidase, and autophagy genes. We also constructed single mutants of autophagy genes and double mutants with leucine biosynthesis genes. Then, their lifespan and various phenotypes in those mutants were examined. Our results suggest that the genes in leucine biosynthesis pathway modulate yeast lifespan by regulating expression of TOR1 and autophagy related genes.