The molecular defences against reactive oxygen species in yeast

Abstract

There is rapidly expanding interest into the protective systems against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the eukaryotic cell, now that the links between oxidative damage, various disease states, and ageing, are firmly established in higher organisms. Yeast molecular genetics should be able to provide powerful insight into these mechanisms; this potential is now starting to be exploited. A number of primary antioxidant activities and systems of metal-ion homeostasis or detoxification have now been demonstrated to contribute to oxidative-stress protection in yeast. Also, evidence is emerging that the oxidative-stress response of this organism is complex, involving separate transcription-factor responses to peroxide, superoxide anion and metal ions.