Copper deprivation modulates CTR1 and CUP1 expression and enhances cisplatin cytotoxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been established as a model system for cancer studies, due to the widely conserved family of genes involved in cell cycle progression, proliferation and apoptosis. In the current study, we sought to determine whether copper deprivation modulates sensitivity of yeast to cisplatin. Yeast cultures grown in low copper medium and exposed to bathocuproiene disulfate (BCS) resulted in significant reduction of intracellular copper.

Zinc pyrithione salvages reperfusion injury by inhibiting NADPH oxidase activation in cardiomyocytes.

Zinc pyrithione (ZPT), has a strong anti-apoptotic effect when administered just before reperfusion. Because oxidative stress has been proposed to contribute to myocardial reperfusion injury, we tested whether ZPT can reduce the production of reactive oxygen species during reoxygenation in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and evaluated the role of NADPH oxidase in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. The cells were subjected to 8h of simulated ischemia, followed by either 30 min or 16 h of reoxygenation.