Nonclassical export pathway: overexpression of NCE102 reduces protein and DNA damage and prolongs lifespan in an SGS1 deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In this study, we used our recently developed screening method, Bud-Scar-based Screening (BSS), to screen a yeast cDNA expression library in an SGS1 deletion BY4742 yeast strain. One gene involved in a nonclassical export pathway, NCE102, was found to extend the life span of Deltasgs1 yeast. Deletion of NCE102 in a wild type yeast strain increased its sensitivity to oxidative stress upon diethylmaleate (DEM) treatment but did not shorten its lifespan, indicating that this gene is not essential in determining yeast lifespan.

A high-throughput screening system for genes extending life-span.

We developed a high-throughput functional genomic screening system that allows identification of genes prolonging life-span in the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The method is based on isolating yeast mother cells with extended number of cell divisions as indicated by the increased number of bud scars on their surface. Fluorescently labelled Wheat Germ Agglutinin was used for specific staining of chitin, a major component of bud scars.