Analysis of sulfur-dependent energy metabolism in yeast

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15803
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 38060:Applied molecular and cellular biology-related
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Nishimura Akira 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 助教 (30781728)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 活性イオウ / エネルギー代謝 / イオウ呼吸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

we attempted to understand physiological functions of reactive sulfur species (RSS) using yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a useful model for eukaryotic biology. First, we found that yeast has a pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent biosynthesis of RSS by cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CARS), similar to bacteria and mammal. Next, our study indicated that a yeast mutant of PLP-binding site, which possessed the intact protein synthesis, dramatically reduces chronological aging, compared with wild-type, suggesting that CARS-produced RSS may play an important role in regulating longevity and sustaining the life span.

Free Research Field

発酵科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、発酵科学へ応用のみならず、エネルギー代謝異常が関わる各種疾患（加齢、ミトコンドリア病、生活習慣病、がん等）の発症機構の理解と予防・治療法の開発に大きく寄与することが期待される。また、活性イオウ分子の産生系をターゲットにした抗真菌薬の開発も抗菌・真菌薬開発も期待される。