1. +
Differential gene expression in Saccharomyces
cerevisiae as a result of exposure to
(-)-epicatechin, a flavanol antioxidant found in cocoa
Gen Selden
Pine Crest School
2. +
Background
Free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly
produced from oxygen metabolism in cells
Examples of free radicals: OH, O2
-, H2O2
Oxidative stress – cumulative effect of ROS causing
degradation of DNA, lipids, and proteins and damaging the
cells
Oxidative stress has been seen to play a role in certain neurodegenerative
diseases and cancer
Antioxidants react with free radicals to reduce oxidative stress
and improve longevity
Flavanols are a specific type of antioxidant and are thought to
be the main antioxidants present in cocoa
Predominant antioxidant properties of cocoa are thought to be
mainly a result of (-)-epicatechin
3. +
Background
(-)-Epicatechin:
A specific flavanol antioxidant found in cocoa
May have beneficial effects on certain aspects of health including aging
and disease
Found in higher concentrations in cocoa than other flavanols such as (+)-
catechin and quercetin
Found in higher concentrations in cocoa than in other commonly known
sources of antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables
Saccharomyces cerevisiae – Yeast
Simple and rapid reproduction
Easily cultured
Model organism for humans
31% homology between genomes
Humans and yeast share many homologous genes
4. +
Background
Longevity genes in yeast
RAS2 - involved in cell proliferation
IDH2 – associated with the oxidative decarboxylation of the citric
acid cycle and is necessary for cellular respiration
HST2 – transcriptional silencing, DNA repair, genomic stability, and
overall longevity
DNM1 – programmed cell death
Oxidative stress genes in yeast
CTA1 – codes for the enzyme catalase A, which catalyzes the
breakdown of H2O2 and other oxidative molecules
GSH1 – codes for GSH, a radical scavenger protein
5. +
Purpose
To test the effects of varying concentrations of (-)-
epicatechin on the gene expression of the longevity
genes RAS2, IDH2, HST2, and DNM1 and the
oxidative stress genes CTA1 and GSH1 in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a model organism for
humans
6. +
Hypothesis
Gene Function Human
Homolog
% Homology Hypothesis
RAS2 Longevity KRAS 54% Upregulated
IDH2 Longevity IDH3A 56% Upregulated
HST2 Longevity SIRT2 61% Upregulated
DNM1 Longevity DNM1L 55% Downregulated
CTA1 Oxidative stress CAT 54% Downregulated
GSH1 Oxidative stress GCLC 53% Downregulated
RAS2, IDH2, and HST2 are expected to be upregulated because they are
involved in cellular processes necessary for longevity
DNM1 is expected to be downregulated because of its involvement in
programmed cell death
CTA1 and GSH1 are expected to be downregulated because exposure to the
antioxidant molecule (-)-epicatechin may reduce the need for cellular
protection against oxidative stress by radical-scavenging proteins
7. +
Materials and Methods
Yeast was cultured in YPD media at 25oC while rotating for 13.5
hours and exposed to 6 different concentrations of (-)-epicatechin
for 36.5 hours following growth
0 uM, 50 uM, 100 uM, 250 uM, 500 uM, and 750 uM
Total RNA isolated using RiboPure Yeast protocol from Ambion
Life Technologies
RNA presence in each sample confirmed using gel electrophoresis
cDNA synthesized from extracted RNA using ProtoScript First
Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit
Primers for PCR were designed using www.operon.com
PCR was performed to amplify genes of interest
Gel electrophoresis used to analyze differential gene expression
8. +
Confirmation of the presence of total
RNA
Presence of total RNA in each
sample was confirmed using
gel electrophoresis
The 28S and 18S bands
confirm RNA – standard
bands of total isolated RNA
28S
18S
DNA
ladder
0 uM 50 uM 100 uM250 uM500 uM750 uM
9. +
Gel Electrophoresis of HST2
An increase in
expression was seen in
the 500 uM and 750 uM
samples
Increase in expression
signified by more intense
bands
Supports hypothesis that
HST2 would be
upregulated in response
to (-)-epicatechin
DNA
ladder
0 uM 50 uM 100 uM 250 uM 500 uM 750 uM NC DNA
ladder
10. +
Gel Electrophoresis of GSH1
A decrease in expression
was seen in the 500 uM
and 750 uM samples
Decrease in expression
signified by less intense
bands
Supports the hypothesis
that exposure to (-)-
epicatechin leads to a
downregulation of GSH1
DNA
ladder
0 uM 50 uM 100 uM250 uM500 uM750 uM NC DNA
ladder
11. +
Conclusion
HST2 is expressed under normal cellular conditions and seems
to be upregulated by relatively high concentrations of (-)-
epicatechin
Suggests that (-)-epicatechin improves longevity and upregulates
genes necessary for longevity
GSH1 is expressed under normal cellular conditions and
expression seems to be downregulated by (-)-epicatechin at
relatively high concentrations
Suggests that (-)-epicatechin combats oxidative stress by reducing
free radicals, subsequently downregulating oxidative stress genes
that are necessary to reduce normal cellular oxidative stress
12. +
Future Research
Tests to confirm differential gene expression of the genes that
have already been tested (GSH1, HST2)
Test for differential gene expression of remaining genes (RAS1,
IDH2, DNM1, CTA1)
Including patterns of expression between the longevity genes and
patterns of expression between the oxidative stress genes
Once patterns of expression in the two gene categories have
been observed, I will expose yeast to a higher concentration
range of (-)-epicatechin (500 uM to 1000 uM)
Because (-)-epicatechin seemed to cause differential gene
expression in the samples exposed to the two highest
concentrations, 500 uM and 750 uM, in the first trial
13. +
Future Research
Certain mitochondrial genes such as COQ3 have also been
shown to play a significant role in oxidative stress and the rate
of cell aging
Determining differential gene expression of these genes may give a
more complete representation of the effects of (-)-epicatechin on
longevity and oxidative stress in yeast
Concurrent exposure of yeast to (-)-epicatechin and oxidative
stress, in the form of H2O2, may provide a more complete
understanding of the effects of (-)-epicatechin on oxidative
stress and subsequent regulation of gene expression
14. +
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