Lessons in coping with strees from yeast

The humble yeast can provide vital lessons in coping with stress, according to researchers from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in England. Dr Jan Quinn told delegates at a meeting of the Society for General Biology how she and colleagues have tracked stress responses in yeast to give a new understanding of how cells cope with oxidative stress.

Reactive oxygen chemicals occur naturally in the human body through respiration and also by exposure to pollution and sunlight. They are very destructive and attack the three main constituents of our cells: proteins, fats and DNA.

"Understanding how our cells sense and respond to these reactive chemicals is important, as oxidative-stress induced damage has been linked to ageing and a large number of diseases," said Dr Quinn of Newcastle's School of Cell and Molecular Biosciences. "Our studies in fission yeast have revealed that the cell mounts very specific responses depending on the dose of oxidative stress and this may provide clues for human health."

Although they are potentially dangerous, our bodies also produce and use reactive oxidative chemicals as a defence against bacteria or fungal infections such as candida. Work from Dr Quinn and colleagues has identified a signalling pathway in yeast that specifically senses the presence of reactive oxygen chemicals.

Dr Quinn added: "Significantly, this pathway in yeast is missing in humans. Hence, the components in this pathway may provide attractive targets for new anti-fungal drugs in the future."