Chronological lifespan increases of yeast by leucine supplementation

초록

Supplementation or depletion of some amino acids, such as methionine, threonine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), has been identified to modulate life span and health span of many species. BCAA (leucine, valine, and isoleucine) supplementation was shown to promote yeast chronological life span (CLS). Previously, we showed that two leucine biosynthesis genes, LEU2 and LEU4, are critical in determining yeast lifespan. In order to understand the mechanism by which yeast lifespan is regulated in the connection to leucine metabolism, we have examined the effect of leucine supplementation on yeast CLS and the underlying mechanisms. Verification of cellular levels of cytochrome C oxidase and vital dye exclusion assay suggest that leucine supplementation increases yeast lifespan by alleviation of cell death rate.