Is Aggregate-Dependent Yeast Aging Fortuitous? A Model of Damage Segregation and Aggregate Dynamics

During cytokinesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, damaged proteins are distributed unequally between the daughter and mother cells. The retention of these proteins is correlated with yeast aging. Even though evidence suggests that aggregates are retained due to an underlying molecular mechanism, the debate on whether an active mechanism is necessary for this asymmetry remains unsolved. In particular, passive diffusion and a bud-specific dilution remain as possible explanations. Here, a computational and mathematical model is provided to test whether passive mechanisms alone are sufficient to account for the aggregate distribution patterns and the aggregate kinetics observed in living cells.

http://ift.tt/2iT1TC9