The long-term goal of this proposal is to understand the mechanisms of copper induced cell death by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our working hypothesis, based on preliminary results is that upon exposure to copper, toxicity is triggered by the increased lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the plasma membrane. In order to determine the relationship between exposure to copper alloy surfaces, lipid peroxidation, and cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae quantitative dilutions series were performed to test for cell death levels. Our results indicate a biphasic killing curve when S. cerevisiae is exposed to copper, however this was not seen on steel chips. TBARS assay was used to measure the lipid peroxidation levels. In addition to looking at how copper effects the membrane we characterized the impact of exposure to copper alloy surface by using FM4-64, an amphiphilic styryl dye. Genomic DNA was analyzed to establish how cell death was triggered.

Understanding the mechanisms of copper induced lipid peroxidation mediated cell death in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>

244th National Meeting (2012)

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Understanding the mechanisms of copper induced lipid peroxidation mediated cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae