A yeast apoptosis-inducing characteristic of hydrogen peroxide

Belonging to organic class of peroxides, hydrogen peroxide contributes to diverse cell signaling pathways and cell fate decisions in yeasts. Among them, hydrogen peroxide induces apoptosis, which is included in a programmed cell death and works through specialized mode of action to commit suicide. Mammalian apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) homologue, Ynr074cp controls apoptosis in yeast and is mostly localized at the mitochondria. This protein is translocated into the nucleus under apoptosis-inducing conditions. A mitochondria-specific protein, Ynr074cp, mediates the signaling transduction from the mitochondria to the nucleus during apoptosis. This protein induces apoptosis in caspase-independent manner and instead works via Ynr074cp-dependent process. Hydrogen peroxide induces overexpression of Ynr074cp and triggers apoptotic cell death through oxidative stress or DNA damage. This chapter focused on the mode of action hydrogen peroxide induces in yeast apoptosis including overexpression of AIF homologue protein.