Chronological aging-independent replicative life span regulation by Msn2/Msn4 and Sod2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mutations in RAS2, CYR1, and SCH9 extend the chronological life span in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by activating stress-resistance transcription factors and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Sod2). Here we show that mutations in CYR1 and SCH9 also extend the replicative life span of individual yeast mother cells. However, the triple deletion of stress-resistance genes MSN2/MSN4 and RIM15, which causes a major decrease in chronological life span, extends replicative life span. Similarly, the overexpression of superoxide dismutases, which extends chronological survival, shortens the replicative life span and prevents budding in 30-40% of virgin mother cells. These results suggest that stress-resistance transcription factors Msn2/Msn4 negatively regulate budding and the replicative life span in part by increasing SOD2 expression. The role of superoxide dismutases and of other stress-resistance proteins in extending the chronological life span of yeast, worms, and flies indicates that the negative effect of Sod2, Msn2/Msn4/Rim15 on the replicative life span of S. cerevisiae is independent of aging. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.