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Maximising the Yeast Chronological Lifespan

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Aging Research in Yeast

Part of the book series: Subcellular Biochemistry ((SCBI,volume 57))

Abstract

When investigating aging it is important to focus on the factors that are needed to attain, and which can be manipulated to extend, the longest lifespans. This has long been appreciated by those workers who use Drosophila or Caenorhabditis elegans as model experimental systems to study aging. Often though it seems it is not a consideration in many studies of yeast chronological aging. In this chapter I summarise how recent work has revealed the preconditioning that is needed for yeast to survive for long periods in stationary phase, therefore for it to exhibit a long chronological life span (CLS). Of critical importance in this regard is the nature of the nutrient limitation that, during the earlier growth phase, had forced the cells to undergo growth arrest. I have attempted to highlight those studies that have focussed on the longest CLSs, as this helps to identify investigations that may be addressing – not just factors that can influence chronological longevity – but those factors that are correlated with the authentic processes of chronological aging. Attempting to maximize long-term stationary survival in yeast should also enhance the potential relevance of this organism as an aging model to those who wrestle with the problems of aging in more complex systems. Finally I also give a personal perspective of how studies on the yeast CLS may still yet provide some important new insights into events that are correlated with aging.

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Abbreviations

CR:

calorie restriction

Cu,Zn-Sod:

copper zinc superoxide dismutase

Mn-Sod:

manganese superoxide dismutase

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK

    Peter W. Piper

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  1. Peter W. Piper
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Correspondence to Peter W. Piper .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, Salzburg, 5020, Austria

    Michael Breitenbach

  2. , Tulane Center for Aging and Department o, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Tulane Avenue SL-12 1430, New Orleans, 70112, Louisiana, USA

    S. Michal Jazwinski

  3. , Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, Salzburg, 5020, Austria

    Peter Laun

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Piper, P.W. (2011). Maximising the Yeast Chronological Lifespan. In: Breitenbach, M., Jazwinski, S., Laun, P. (eds) Aging Research in Yeast. Subcellular Biochemistry, vol 57. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2561-4_7

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