Ecl1 is a zinc-binding protein involved in the zinc-limitation-dependent extension of chronological life span in fission yeast

Abstract

Overexpression of Ecl1-family genes (ecl1 , ecl2, and ecl3 ) results in the extension of the chronological life span in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. However, the mechanism for this extension has not been defined clearly. Ecl1-family proteins consist of approximately 80 amino acids, and four cysteine residues are conserved in their N-terminal domains. This study focused on the Ecl1 protein, mutating its cysteine residues sequentially to confirm their importance. As a result, all mutated Ecl1 proteins nearly lost the function to extend the chronological life span, suggesting that these four cysteine residues are essential for the Ecl1 protein. Utilizing ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy) analysis, we found that wild-type Ecl1 proteins contain zinc, while cysteine-mutated Ecl1 proteins do not. We also analyzed the effect of environmental zinc on the chronological life span. We found that zinc limitation extends the chronological life span, and this extension depends on the Ecl1-family proteins.

Identifying longevity associated genes by integrating gene expression and curated annotations

“…Longevity effects of cellular response to oxidative stress are corroborated in the literature [53]. Finally, a negative coefficient for zinc ion binding is consistent with experimental evidence that zinc limitation extends chronological lifespan [54].…”

Identifying Longevity Associated Genes by Integrating Gene Expression and Curated Annotations

“…Longevity effects of cellular response to oxidative stress are corroborated in the literature (Postnikoff, Johnson, & Tyler, 2017). Finally, a negative coefficient for zinc ion binding is consistent with experimental evidence that zinc limitation extends chronological lifespan (Shimasaki et al, 2017).…”

Genes affecting the extension of chronological lifespan in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast)

“…This suggests that CLS extension by zrg17 + deletion may be involved in the TORC1 pathway. Intriguingly, as mentioned above, it has also been reported that extracellular zinc concentration itself affects CLS (Shimasaki et al, 2017).…”

“…Heat shock transcription factor is also known to affect the lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; decreased hsf-1 promotes tissue senescence and overexpression of extend lifespan (Hsu et al, 2003). Meanwhile, although the induction of Ecl1 family genes has not been observed, these genes are also required for CLS extension due to zinc limitation (Ohtsuka et al, 2015;Shimasaki et al, 2017). These findings indicate that Ecl1 family genes respond to environments that are disadvantageous for growth, such as nutrient depletion and stress, and contribute to cell survival.…”