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Molecular and Cellular Biology, May 2000, p. 3125-3136, Vol. 20, No. 9
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical
School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115,1 and
Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University,
Portland, Oregon 972012
Received 4 November 1999/Returned for modification 7 December
1999/Accepted 2 February 2000
The BCL-2 family includes both proapoptotic (e.g., BAX and BAK) and
antiapoptotic (e.g., BCL-2 and BCL-XL) molecules. The cell
death-regulating activity of BCL-2 members appears to depend on their
ability to modulate mitochondrial function, which may include
regulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP). We
examined the function of BAX and BCL-XL using genetic and
biochemical approaches in budding yeast because studies with yeast
suggest that BCL-2 family members act upon highly conserved mitochondrial components. In this study we found that in wild-type yeast, BAX induced hyperpolarization of mitochondria, production of
reactive oxygen species, growth arrest, and cell death; however, cytochrome c was not released detectably despite the
induction of mitochondrial dysfunction. Coexpression of
BCL-XL prevented all BAX-mediated responses. We also
assessed the function of BCL-XL and BAX in the same strain
of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with deletions of selected
mitochondrial proteins that have been implicated in the function of
BCL-2 family members. BAX-induced growth arrest was independent of the
tested mitochondrial components, including voltage-dependent anion
channel (VDAC), the catalytic Programmed cell death (PCD) and its
morphological equivalent, apoptosis, are mediated by a distinct genetic
pathway that is apparently present in all multicellular organisms
(26). PCD plays an important role in normal development, and
disregulation of this process is likely to underlie many disease
processes (74). Among the more prominent regulators of cell
death are members of the BCL-2 family (1). This family of
proteins includes both proapoptotic (e.g., BAX and BAK) and
antiapoptotic (e.g., BCL-2 and BCL-XL) molecules. The ratio
between pro- and antiapoptotic proteins helps determine, in part, the
susceptibility of cells to a death signal. In addition, members of this
family share a number of characteristics. First, proteins in the BCL-2
family are able to form homo- and heterodimers, suggesting neutralizing competition between these proteins (9, 66). The functional significance of heterodimerization remains to be uncovered, however, since some site-directed mutations which interfere with
heterodimerization do not eliminate the pro- or antiapoptotic function
of these molecules (7, 24, 52, 76, 83). In addition, genetic
studies in mice indicate that members of each group are able to mediate
their effects in the absence of opposing family members
(30). Second, members of each group appear to act primarily
as integral membrane proteins and, in a number of cases, have been
demonstrated to form ion channels in vitro (53, 64, 65).
Pro- and antiapoptotic BCL-2 family members localize primarily to
separate subcellular compartments in the absence of a death signal.
Antiapoptotic members are often constitutively targeted to
intracellular membrane systems such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or the nuclear membrane (8, 22, 31). In contrast, a substantial fraction of the proapoptotic members localize to cytosol
or are only loosely associated with membranes prior to a death signal
(18, 23, 78, 84). Following a death signal, several
proapoptotic members including BAX, BAK, and BID undergo a
conformational change that enables them to target and integrate into
membranes, especially the mitochondrial outer membrane (13, 17,
20, 40, 55).
A number of lines of evidence suggest that the cell death-regulating
activity of BCL-2 family members depends on their ability to modulate
mitochondrial function (15, 19, 51, 62, 71). Regulated
insertion of BAX or other proapoptotic family members into the outer
membrane on reception of an upstream death signal mediates a number of
mitochondrial responses that initiate and propagate downstream cell
death processes. These mitochondrial responses include membrane
depolarization and release of apoptosis-promoting factors contained in
the intermitochondrial membrane space such as cytochrome c
(cyt c), which, upon release, propagates a downstream caspase cascade. BCL-2 and other antiapoptotic family members appear to
act at the mitochondrial level to prevent mitochondrial membrane
depolarization and release of caspase-activating molecules in
response to cell death signals.
While the mitochondrial effects of BCL-2 family members are clearly
important in mediating their respective functions in cell death
pathways, the mechanisms which underlie these effects have remained
elusive. Recently, it has been postulated that pro- as well as
antiapoptotic family members may function by modulating the activity of
the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) (34, 43,
46). The PTP is a large channel responsible for an abrupt
increase in the permeability of the mitochondria in vitro to solutes
with a molecular mass up to 1,500 Da (2, 85). Rapid opening
of the PTP causes mitochondrial depolarization, uncoupling of oxidative
phosphorylation, large-amplitude swelling of mitochondria, and rupture
of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Thus, any modulation of the
activity of the PTP by BCL-2 family members, perhaps through their
channel-forming capacity, might be related to the ability of these
molecules to modulate the release of cyt c and other
apoptotic factors into the cytoplasm (29, 43, 70, 81).
The precise molecular composition of the PTP remains to be definitively
established, although current studies suggest that a complex of
proteins contribute to or influence its activity, including hexokinase,
the inner membrane adenine nucleotide transporter (ANT), the outer
membrane channel VDAC (voltage-dependent anion channel), the
cyclophilin found in the mitochondrial matrix, and perhaps a variety of
other proteins that exist at contact sites between the inner and outer
mitochondrial membranes (5, 46). Recent evidence has
implicated specific proteins thought to form the PTP (e.g., ANT and
VDAC) in the function of BCL-2 family members (45, 54, 67).
Despite these reports, the role of the PTP in apoptosis has remained
controversial. A number of studies have reported that the release of
cyt c during cell death was not accompanied by the
mitochondrial depolarization that invariably follows the opening of the
PTP (4). In addition, cyt c release has been reported in different studies to either require or be independent of
PTP opening (6, 11, 43, 44, 75). These and other contradictory results indicate that a detailed understanding of the
important underlying mechanisms and critical biochemical interactions mediated by BCL-2 family members is needed.
Recent studies have also demonstrated that despite the well-established
importance of caspases in the apoptotic process, cell death can proceed
in a caspase-independent fashion (14, 49, 56, 80). While
inhibition of caspases prevents an apoptotic response to certain death
signals, others (e.g., BAX and BAK) cannot be rescued and cells still
die, albeit more slowly and without all the morphological and
biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis. In addition, molecules released
from mitochondria during apoptosis (e.g., apoptosis-inducing
factor) might promote cell death processes which do not require
caspase activation (69, 70). Thus, proapoptotic family
members may actively promote cell death through caspase-independent mechanisms as well.
We and others have approached the complex biochemical interactions
which underlie the function of BCL-2 family members in the budding
yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Completion of the S. cerevisiae genome indicates that it does not contain genes for
recognizable members of either the BCL-2 family or the caspases. Nevertheless, expression of proapoptotic family members such as BAX
and BAK in S. cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces
pombe results in cell death (25, 28, 36, 82). Evidence
that BAX-mediated yeast cell death is not a nonspecific toxicity
includes the observation that BAX mutants incapable of inducing
apoptosis in mammalian cells are also not cytotoxic in yeast (25,
52, 59, 82). In addition, BAX expressed in yeast localizes to
mitochondria and induces changes in the mitochondrial membrane
potential similar to changes observed in mammalian cells (52, 59,
82). Similarly, antiapoptotic family members like BCL-2 and
BCL-XL are also localized to yeast mitochondria and allow
yeast cell survival in response to BAX expression (16, 52, 72,
73). This prosurvival function of antiapoptotic family members in
yeast may not depend on heterodimerization to BAX, since mutant
BCL-XL molecules which do not heterodimerize in classic
binding assays still promote cell survival in both yeast and mammalian
cells (52, 83). These and a variety of other studies in
yeast strongly indicate that BCL-2 family members are acting upon
highly conserved mitochondrial components that correspond directly to
their apoptotic substrates in mammalian cells.
Given this background, yeast provides a physiologically relevant system
in which to apply the combined approaches of genetics and biochemistry
in studies aimed at identifying the mechanisms and interactions that
underlie the function of BCL-2 family members in caspase-independent
cell death pathways present in mammalian cells. In this study, we used
a single strain of yeast to analyze the response of mitochondria to the
expression of BAX and BCL-XL, representative pro- and
antiapoptotic members, respectively, of the BCL-2 family. In addition,
we have assessed the requirements for the cell death and survival
functions of these molecules in a variety of genetic backgrounds
lacking individual components of the mitochondrial machinery proposed
to be involved in the formation of the PTP or previously implicated in
the function of these molecules.
Genetic methods.
The yeast strain used throughout this study
is YM1372 (obtained from Mark Johnston, Washington University, St.
Louis, Mo.) (MATa ura3-52 his3-
0270-7306/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Biochemical and Genetic Analysis of the
Mitochondrial Response of Yeast to BAX and BCL-XL

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ABSTRACT
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References
subunit or the
subunit of the
F0F1-ATP synthase, mitochondrial cyclophilin, cytochrome c, and proteins encoded by the mitochondrial
genome as revealed by [rho0] cells. In
contrast, actual cell killing was dependent upon select mitochondrial
components including the
subunit of ATP synthase and mitochondrial
genome-encoded proteins but not VDAC. The BCL-XL protection
from either BAX-induced growth arrest or cell killing proved to be
independent of mitochondrial components. Thus, BAX induces two cellular
processes in yeast which can each be abrogated by
BCL-XL: cell arrest, which does not require aspects of
mitochondrial biochemistry, and cell killing, which does.
![]()
INTRODUCTION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References
![]()
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References
200 ade2-101
lys2-801 trp1-901 tyr1-501 can1 LEU2::GAL1-lacZ
gal80-538). Yeast cells were grown on standard rich (YP),
selective complete (SC), or selective minimal medium plus the required
amino acids and with 2% glucose (SD) or 2% galactose (SG) where
appropriate as the carbon source. Cells were transformed by standard
lithium acetate procedures. Cell numbers were estimated from the
absorbance of cultures at 600 nm and corrected by Coulter counter analysis.
47 to
7 and +1 to +41,
63 to
23
and +5 to +45, and
50 to
10 and +10 to +50 of each gene,
respectively. The CYC7 gene was disrupted by insertion of
the TRP1 gene with oligonucleotides representing
50 to
10 and +10 to +50 of this gene. PCR products obtained using the
target gene/pRS300 hybrid oligonucleotides were used to transform yeast
cells. Disruption of the appropriate gene in yeast cells able to grow
on the appropriate nutrient-deficient plates was verified by PCR
analysis using oligonucleotides flanking those described above.
30 relative to
ATP4) and blunt-end ligating the 3' end of the PCR fragment
into a filled-in XhoI site of pBluescript II KS. A 3,500-bp
ADE2 fragment was ligated into the filled-in BbsI
site at position 108 of ATP4. Finally, the
ATP4-ADE2 construct was excised from pBluescript II KS with
EcoRI-XhoI (XhoI site at position 387 of ATP4) to generate a 3,995-bp fragment, which was used to
transform yeast. Disruption of the ATP4 gene was verified by
PCR with oligonucleotides flanking the site of insertion and Southern
analysis. VDAC genes were deleted as described by Blachly-Dyson et al.
(3).
YM1372 cells lacking mitochondrial DNA ([rho0]
cells) were generated by extensive growth in SC medium containing 25 mg
of ethidium bromide per ml. Cells unable to grow on medium containing a
nonfermentable carbon source (2% glycerol) were identified by replica plating.
Expression of BAX and BCL-XL and preparation of yeast extracts. Regulated expression of native BAX or BAX molecules containing an N-terminal HA tag (HA-BAX) was accomplished by subcloning the cDNA encoding murine BAX into the EcoRI site of plasmid pBM272 downstream of the GAL10 promoter. This shuttle vector also contains the yeast URA3 gene, sequences representing CEN4 and ARS1, and sequences necessary for replication and selection in bacteria. Constitutive expression of BCL-XL was mediated by subcloning the cDNA encoding murine BCL-XL into the EcoRI site of plasmid pBF339 directly downstream of the yeast ADH1 promoter. This shuttle vector also contains the yeast TRP1 gene, the 2 µm origin of replication, and sequences necessary for replication and selection in bacteria. The responses of yeast cells to expression of BAX or HA-BAX were identical.
For induction of BAX expression, cells were washed twice in water and resuspended in SG medium. Total-protein extracts were prepared following cell breakage using glass beads (21) or the Y-Per reagent (Pierce). Cells were broken with glass beads (0.4 to 0.6 mm in diameter) by vigorous vortexing in ice-cold buffer containing 100 mM HEPES (pH 8.0), 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1% 2-mercaptoethanol, 5 mM EDTA, 10% glycerol, 2% Triton X-100, and a protease inhibitor mixture (Sigma). The mixture was then centrifuged at 9,000 × g for 10 min at 4°C to remove unbroken cells and glass beads. BAX and BCL-XL were immunoprecipitated from the supernatant using anti-mBAX 4D2 monoclonal antibodies (MAb) or anti-mBCL-XL 13.6 polyclonal Ab, respectively, and then size fractionated on SDS-12 or 16% polyacrylamide gels. Western blots were developed with anti-mBAX Ab 651 or anti-mBCL-XL Ab 13.6. Alternatively, expression of BAX was monitored in cells transformed with pBM272 constructs which direct the expression of HA-BAX molecules. In this case, total-cell extracts were prepared using the Y-Per reagent (Pierce) and Western blots were developed with the HA.11 MAb (Babco) directed to the HA epitope.Subcellular fractionation and mitochondrion preparation. Highly purified yeast mitochondria and subcellular fractions were prepared essentially as described by Blachly-Dyson et al. (3). Yeast cells from a 1-liter culture were collected by centrifugation, washed once with water, resuspended in 0.1 M Tris-SO4 (pH 9.4), supplemented with 10 mM dithiothreitol, and incubated at 30°C for 15 min. Cells were collected by centrifugation, washed with 1.2 M sorbitol-K2HPO4-KH2PO4 (pH 7.5), resuspended in the same buffer containing Zymolyase-20T (20,000 U/g [ICN]; 5 mg per g of cells), and incubated for 30 min at 30°C. The cells were washed twice in 1.2 M sorbitol-K2HPO4-KH2PO4 (pH 7.5), resuspended in breaking buffer (0.6 M sorbitol and 20 mM HEPES [pH 7.5], supplemented with 100 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) and homogenized in a 15-ml Wheaton Dounce glass homogenizer using 15 complete up-and-down cycles of a glass B-type pestle. The homogenate was centrifuged (4,000 × g for 5 min), the supernatant was saved, and the pellet was resuspended in breaking buffer and rehomogenized. The homogenate was centrifuged (4,000 × g for 5 min), and the pellet containing unbroken cells and nuclei is referred to as the low-speed pellet (P1). The supernatants from both runs were combined and centrifuged (10,000 × g for 10 min) to collect the heavy-membrane fraction (HM) enriched in mitochondria. The supernatant was centrifuged (100,000 × g for 30 min) to yield the light-membrane fraction (LM) and the soluble fraction (S). To further purify the mitochondrial fraction, the HM pellet was resuspended in breaking buffer and centrifuged (4,000 × g for 5 min), and the resulting supernatant was centrifuged (10,000 × g for 10 min) to collect the final HM pellet.
Submitochondrial fractionation. Submitochondrial membrane vesicles were produced and fractionated from EDTA-washed mitochondria (prepared essentially as described above except that spheroplasts were homogenized in breaking buffer containing 10 mM EDTA) using a modification of the procedure of Pon et al. (58). Mitochondria were resuspended to 10 mg/ml in breaking buffer and swollen by incubation for 30 min at 0°C in 9 volumes of 20 mM HEPES (pH 7.4) containing 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and 0.5 mM EDTA. Mitochondria were condensed by addition of sucrose to 0.45 M and incubation for 10 min at 0°C. Samples were then sonicated for 90 s at 0°C at 80% duty cycle and maximum power in a cell disruptor (sonic dismembrator; Fisher) equipped with a microtip. The submitochondrial membrane vesicles were collected by centrifugation at 200,000 × g for 45 min at 4°C. The resulting pellet was resuspended in 150 ml of breaking buffer, layered onto a linear sucrose gradient (4 ml of 0.85 to 1.6 M sucrose in 10 mM KCl-5 mM HEPES [pH 7.4]), and centrifuged (100,000 × g for 18 h at 4°C). Fractions (0.6 ml) were collected, diluted to 3 ml with water, and centrifuged (200,000 × g for 45 min). The resulting pellets were resuspended in Lammeli sample buffer, boiled, and size fractionated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Assessment of mitochondrial potential and ROS production. To assess mitochondrial potential, 5 × 105 cells were incubated for 10 min at 30°C with 40 nM 3,3'-dihexyloacarbocynine iodide (DiOC6) 2 µM or rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and then subjected to FACScan (Becton Dickinson) analysis. Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) was added to a final concentration of 50 µM prior to the addition of DiOC6 or Rh123. To assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cells were incubated with 2 µM hydroethidine and the conversion to ethidium was measured by FACScan analysis.
Yeast cell survival assays. YM1372 wild-type or mutant yeast cells harboring GAL vector or GAL-BAX plasmids were washed in water and resuspended in SG medium. At 24 h following transfer to SG medium, the total-cell density of the cultures was determined, and approximately 250 cells were spread on glucose-based plates and incubated at 30°C for 2 to 3 days. The percent survival was calculated by dividing the number of colonies on plates harboring GAL-BAX plasmids by the number of colonies harboring the empty GAL vector.
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RESULTS |
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BAX expression in yeast results in growth arrest and cell death. The response of yeast cells to the expression of proapoptotic BCL-2 family members has resulted in a variety of conflicting reports with regard to the genetic requirements for the function of these molecules. Our own preliminary observations indicated that some of these differences are due, in part, to differences in the genetic background of the specific yeast strains used. We therefore chose to conduct all of our studies in the same yeast strain (YM1372) and detail its response to the expression of representative members of the BCL-2 family with opposing actions, BCL-XL and BAX. Regulated expression of BAX is mediated by transformation of YM1372 with plasmids in which the expression of native BAX molecules or those containing an N-terminal HA tag is driven by the GAL10 promoter (GAL-BAX). Constitutive expression of BCL-XL is mediated by the use of vectors in which the expression of native BCL-XL is directed by the ADH1 promoter (ADH-BCL-XL).
As assayed by immunoprecipitation from total-cell extracts, induction of GAL-BAX results in visible BAX at 12 h and is maximal 24 to 30 h following transfer to galactose-based media while BCL-XL is constitutively expressed in cells containing ADH-BCL-XL plasmids (Fig. 1A, top panel). Of note, BAX appears as a doublet (by 30 h of Gal induction), suggesting that it can be modified in yeast cells. In addition, an 18-kDa form was also detected. It has previously been demonstrated that p18 BAX represents a carboxy-terminal cleavage product of p21 BAX and is detected in both mammalian and yeast cells (59, 79). Cells containing GAL-BAX plasmids fail to grow on galactose-based media, as analyzed both on plates (Fig. 1B) and in liquid culture (results not shown). The viability of cells following 24 h of BAX induction was assessed quantitatively by determining the number of cells able to form colonies on plates containing glucose (Table 1). After 24 h in galactose-based medium, essentially all wild-type cells containing GAL-BAX constructs are unable to grow when placed on glucose and are defined as dead. Coexpression of the antiapoptotic protein BCL-XL from the constitutive ADH1 promoter was able to abrogate the effects of BAX on cell viability (e.g., Fig. 1B); i.e., cells containing GAL-BAX and ADH-BCL-XL plasmids are able to grow on galactose-based media. Of note, this result is not due to lower levels of BAX expression, since cells carrying BAX alone or BAX together with BCL-XL express similar levels of BAX (Fig. 1A, bottom panel).
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BAX localizes to mitochondria and causes mitochondrial membrane
potential changes but no measurable release of cyt c.
To
assess the subcellular location of BAX in yeast, cells were grown in
galactose for 24 h and lysed under conditions which maintain
mitochondrial integrity. In these experiments a substantial portion of
p21 BAX was proteolytically cleaved to generate the p18 product. We
suspect that this phenomenon is due to nonspecific proteolysis. p18 BAX
was consistently found in the mitochondrially enriched HM fraction as
defined by the presence of the outer membrane mitochondrial protein
VDAC1 and the intermembrane space protein cyt c in this
fraction (Fig. 2A, lanes 7 and X3 HM).
The low-speed pellet (P1), composed of residual whole cells, nuclei,
and some mitochondria, and the LM fraction also contain BAX (lanes 6 and 8). LM fractions also contain residual VDAC1 but not cyt
c, suggesting that the LM fraction is contaminated with
outer mitochondrial membranes released from mitochondria during the
homogenization required to lyse yeast cells. In contrast, BAX was not
found in fractions representing soluble cytosolic proteins (S). To
identify the submitochondrial membrane fractions containing BAX,
submitochondrial membrane vesicles were prepared from isolated yeast
mitochondria by sonication and separated by centrifugation through a
continuous sucrose density gradient. Of note, in this set of
experiments we have expressed the HA-tagged form of BAX which migrates
as a ~24-kDa protein. The high-density fractions are enriched in inner membrane vesicles as demonstrated by the presence of the
-subunit of the inner membrane F0F1-ATPase
(Fig. 2B). The low-density fractions are enriched in outer
mitochondrial membranes, as demonstrated by the outer membrane marker
VDAC1. Intermediate-density fractions represent contact sites, sites of
association between the inner and outer membranes, as documented by the
presence of inner and outer membrane markers and by ANT, which is
enriched at contact sites. BAX is most prominent in
intermediate-density fractions, indicating that it is enriched at
contact sites in yeast mitochondria.
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m) and in certain systems, when highly
expressed, release of cyt c (15, 19, 51, 57, 62,
71). Yeast 
m was assessed by the
uptake of the cationic, lipophilic dyes DiOC6 and Rh123
(Fig. 3, top). As shown in Fig. 3A and B,
expression of BAX resulted in an increase in

m as assessed by use of either dye.
Addition of the CCCP protonophor, which dissipates the

m, resulted in a substantial decrease in
both wild-type 
m (as measured by
DiOC6 [Fig. 3C]) and hyperpolarized 
m resulting from BAX expression (Fig. 3D),
indicating that DiOC6 is a valid indicator of

m in yeast cells. This is similar to the
initial hyperpolarization seen in mammalian cells signaled to die
(75). Interestingly, in the presence of BAX, the

m of a fraction of cells could not be
dissipated by CCCP, indicating that BAX is causing irreversible
mitochondrial hyperpolarization in some cells (Fig. 3D). To assess the
release of cyt c, control and GAL-BAX-containing cells were
grown in galactose for 24 h and the BAX-mediated release of cyt
c into the soluble, cytosolic fraction was assessed
following subcellular fractionation. Strikingly, induction of BAX did
not result in detectable release of cyt c despite the
measurable effect on 
m (Fig. 2A, bottom
panel).
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Genetic requirements for BAX function in yeast.
Components of
the mitochondrial permeability transition (the PTP) have been
implicated as targets of the action of BCL-2 family members. Since
yeast mitochondria undergo a process similar to the permeability
transition observed in mammalian mitochondria (27), a series
of mitochondrial mutants were constructed in YM1372 in which the
expression of individual genes or families of genes implicated in the
function of BCL-2 family members was eliminated using PCR-targeted gene
disruption methods or conventional insertional integration techniques.
The level of BAX expression in each of the resulting mutant strains as
mediated by the GAL-HA-BAX plasmid was similar to that observed in the
wild-type cells (Fig. 4A). The specific
rationale for examining the function of BAX and BCL-XL in
each mutant background is outlined below.
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(i) POR1 and POR2. Reconstitution studies and biochemical analysis have indicated that VDAC is a core component of the PTP (46). In addition, recent reports have suggested that VDAC, in association with BAX, can directly modulate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cyt c independent of pore formation (54, 67). Yeast cells express two VDAC proteins encoded by the POR genes: YVDAC1 (encoded by POR1), which represents a major protein in the outer mitochondrial membrane, and YVDAC2 (encoded by POR2), which is also in the outer membranes but is present at lower levels than YVDAC1 (3). When overexpressed, YVDAC2 can complement defects associated with the elimination of YVDAC1, indicating that they can perform similar functions in vivo.
(ii) CYC1 and CYC7. cyt c has been implicated as a critical initiator of the caspase cascade following its release from mitochondria during PCD (29, 35, 38, 86). Although yeast do not appear to contain caspases, the role of cyt c in BAX-mediated, caspase-independent cell death has not been investigated. Yeast contain two genes encoding cyt c, CYC1 and CYC7 (33).
(iii) CYP3. In mammalian cells, one characteristic feature of permeability transition is that it is inhibited by nonimmunosuppressive derivatives of cyclosporin (2, 85). Since mammalian mitochondria contain a cyclosporin-inhibitable cyclophilin, this mitochondrial cyclophilin is presumed to be an essential component or regulator of the PTP. Yeast mitochondria also contain a cyclosporin-inhibitable cyclophilin, the product of the CYP3 gene (47).
(iv) Mitochondrial genome. Examination of the requirement for proteins encoded by the mitochondrial genome in the function of BCL-2 family members has resulted in contradictory reports. Some have reported that BAX-mediated cell death is not altered in cells missing the mitochondrial genome ([rho0] cells), while others suggest that this genome is required for BAX function (16, 48). To test the requirement for proteins encoded by the mitochondrial genome in our yeast strain, derivatives of YM1372 which lack the mitochondrial genome were generated by standard methods (i.e., growth in ethidium bromide).
(v) ATP2 and ATP4.
The observation that GAL
induction of BAX expression in yeast results in cell death led to
genetic screens for suppressors of BAX-induced growth arrest (i.e.,
mutants which grow despite BAX expression). The genes identified in
this analysis encoded two components of the
F0F1-ATPase: ATP2, encoding the
subunit, and ATP4, encoding the
subunit (48).
These results, as well as the observation that inhibition of the
F0F1-ATPase by oligomycin treatment in yeast
and mammalian cells interferes with BAX-mediated cell death, suggested
that the F0F1-ATPase plays a critical role in
the apoptotic processes (48).
por1
por2) showed the least alteration of BAX-induced death (16 and 18%, respectively [Table 1 and Fig. 4C]) compared to
the parent cells (0.3% viability). In other mutant backgrounds, resistance to cell killing ranged from 44% viability (
atp4) to 92%
(
atp2). Remarkably, the [rho0] cells with a
defective mitochondrial genome were essentially 100% viable despite
the lack of cell growth. BCL-XL can abrogate both the
BAX-mediated growth arrest (since cells in which cell death has been
abrogated can form colonies, e.g., [rho0]) and
cell killing in all mitochondrial mutant strains.
Since we did not detect cyt c release from yeast
mitochondria during BAX-mediated cell death, we examined

m as assessed by use of DiCO6
in each mutant background following BAX expression. The

m of
atp2,
atp4,
[rho0] and
por1
por2 vector-containing
cells grown in galactose was slightly depolarized compared to that for
equivalent wild-type cells (Fig. 5A,
left column). However, expression of
BAX still resulted in mitochondrial hyperpolarization in these
mitochondrial mutant strains. Coexpression of BCL-XL
returned the 
m to resting levels in these
particular mutant backgrounds (Fig. 5A, right column). The
cyp3
cells displayed a small increase in 
m with
the control vector and still responded with some
hyperpolarization to BAX. Coexpression of BCL-XL in
cyp3 cells resulted in a return of the

m to the levels present in
cyp3 cells
containing control plasmids. The
cyc1
cyc7 mutant showed no
hyperpolarization on BAX induction despite having a relatively normal
resting 
m with the control vector. Of
note, coexpression of BCL-XL resulted in a slight
depolarization in a subset of these BAX-induced mutant cells (Fig. 5A,
right column).
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m, we have
assessed the ability of BAX to induce ROS production. ROS production
was measured by using hydroethidine, which principally detects
superoxide anion. As shown in Fig. 5B, expression of BAX resulted in
ROS production in wild-type yeast (left column), and coexpression of
BCL-XL prevented this effect of BAX (right column). Next,
we assessed the effect of BAX on ROS production in each mutant
background. The level of ROS production in each of the
vector-containing cells was lower than that in the equivalent wild-type
cells (Fig. 5B, left column). Expression of BAX in three of the four
mutants analyzed ([rho0],
por1
por2, and
cyc1
cyc7) had no effect on the level of ROS production. In
contrast, expression of BAX in
atp2 cells resulted in an increase in
ROS production. Coexpression of BCL-XL showed no additional
effect in [rho0] and
por1
por2 cells
compared to BAX expression alone in the same cells (Fig. 5B, right
column). In contrast, coexpression of BCL-XL in
cyc1
cyc7 cells resulted in an increase in ROS production. Coexpression
of BCL-XL in
atp2 cells returned the level of ROS
production to that in vector-containing cells.
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DISCUSSION |
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The capacity of the proapoptotic BAX molecule to kill S. cerevisiae following mitochondrial integration and a hyperpolarization of the transmembrane potential similar to the initial effect in mammalian cells, as well as the ability of BCL-XL to reverse these effects, argue that yeast provides a relevant system. The power of the combined approaches of genetics and biochemistry in yeast should help define the mechanisms that underlie the function of BCL-2 family members in caspase-independent cell death pathways present in mammalian cells. Here, we have examined the biochemical and physiological responses of yeast to BAX and BCL-XL, representative pro- and antiapoptotic members, respectively, of the BCL-2 family, both in wild-type cells and in mutants of the same yeast strain lacking individual components of the mitochondrial machinery implicated in the function of these molecules.
Subcellular fractionation indicates that when expressed in yeast, the majority of BAX is constitutively localized to mitochondria (Fig. 2). To more precisely define the localization of BAX within yeast mitochondria, submitochondrial membrane vesicles were prepared from isolated yeast mitochondria and separated by centrifugation through a continuous sucrose density gradient. Using this method, BAX was shown to accumulate in yeast mitochondrial contact sites, sites of association between the inner and outer membranes (Fig. 2). Studies in mammalian cells using microscopic methods have also indicated that BCL-2 family members cluster at contact sites in mammalian mitochondria (8, 22, 31). This result indicates that the molecular associations required for this specific submitochondrial localization are conserved in yeast mitochondria and that BAX could have the potential to modulate outer and possibly inner mitochondrial membrane biochemical processes.
In mammalian cells, three responses of mitochondria to BAX accumulation
following a death signal have been noted: a transient hyperpolarization
of mitochondrial 
m, a subsequent substantial depolarization of mitochondrial

m, and, in selected settings, the release
of cyt c (71, 75). cyt c has been
implicated as an activator of Apaf-1, leading to the activation of a
downstream caspase program (35, 86). Each of these
mitochondrial responses to BAX is prevented by BCL-XL or
BCL-2. As shown here, expression of BAX in yeast induces
hyperpolarization of mitochondria (Fig. 3), as recently reported by
others (52). This appears to represent the initial
physiological response to BAX accumulation observed in mammalian cells.
However, a time course study of changes of

m in response to BAX expression in yeast
showed no loss of 
m up to 72 h after
BAX expression (data not shown). Perhaps the later stages of the
mammalian mitochondrial 
m response to BAX
accumulation, namely, substantial depolarization, depend on mammalian
components which are not present in yeast. Furthermore, our studies
have failed to demonstrate a significant BAX-dependent release of cyt
c from yeast mitochondria (Fig. 2) despite alterations in

m, which contrasts with some in vitro or
spectroscopic studies (42, 61, 67). Our results would
suggest, then, that BAX in yeast can generate the initial mitochondrial
responses observed in mammalian cells (hyperpolarization of

m) but is unable to generate what may
represent later responses (depolarization of

m and release of cyt c). Since
BAX expression leads to cell death in yeast (Table 1), despite the
absence of the latter set of mitochondrial responses observed in
mammalian cells, our results would also suggest that
caspase-independent cell death pathways may not depend on events
associated with mitochondrial depolarization. In addition, similar to
observations in mammalian cells, coexpression of BCL-XL
with BAX in yeast prevents mitochondrial hyperpolarization as well as
cell death. Thus, all aspects required for the function of
antiapoptotic members of the BCL-2 family appear conserved in yeast.
To begin to define endogenous molecules required for the function of
BAX and BCL-XL, we assessed the cell death and survival function of these molecules, as well as associated mitochondrial responses, in defined genetic mutants lacking individual components of
the mitochondrial machinery. We selected these gene products because
they had previously been implicated in the function of BCL-2 family
members (48, 54, 67) or the PTP. When growth was
investigated (Fig. 4), the function of BAX and BCL-XL
appeared to be unaffected by the absence of any of the molecules
examined in this study; GAL induction of BAX resulted in lack of
growth, while BCL-XL expression reversed BAX-mediated
growth arrest. Surprisingly, when viability was assessed (Table 1), it
is clear that the absence of growth observed following BAX expression
represents growth arrest but not always cell killing, although most
mutations have an effect on viability in the absence of BAX expression
(vector control, Table 1). After 24 h of BAX induction,
essentially all wild-type cells are unable to grow when placed on
plates containing glucose and are therefore functionally dead. In
contrast, in most of the mutant strains, a large proportion of the
arrested cells are viable and able to form colonies ranging from 40%
for
atp4 cells to essentially complete preservation of viability for
atp2 and [rho0] cells.
Genes encoding VDAC and CYP3 represent notable exceptions. Reconstitution studies and biochemical analysis have suggested that VDAC is a core component of the PTP (5, 46, 85). Recent reports have also suggested that VDAC, in association with BAX, can directly modulate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cyt c and that BCL-XL functions by modulating the VDAC channel activity (54, 67). Here, our in vivo studies demonstrate that the prodeath functions of BAX and the antideath functions of BCL-XL are largely independent of the VDAC channel (Fig. 4 and Table 1) in yeast, in contrast to the in vitro analysis of yeast mitochondria reported in a previous study (67). In addition, the product of the CYP3 gene, the mitochondrial cyclosporin-inhibitable cyclophilin, is presumed to be a component or regulator of the PTP (46, 85). Recent reports have demonstrated that inhibition of the permeability transition using cyclosporin A, a nonimmunosuppressive derivative of cyclosporin, can block apoptosis in certain settings. Our results indicate that CYP3 has only a small effect BAX-induced death (Table 1). However, the permeability transition in yeast mitochondria is not cyclosporin sensitive, even though the activity of the mitochondrial cyclophilin generated by the CYP3 gene is inhibited by cyclosporin (27, 47). Thus, the CYP3 gene product is likely not an essential part of the machinery producing BAX-mediated killing in yeast.
We were unable to examine the role of genes encoding ANT isoforms (AAC1 to AAC3), another proposed component of the PTP, by the genetic strategies used here (5, 46, 85). Physical and functional interactions have been reported between anti- and proapoptotic members of the BCL-2 family and ANT, and yeast strains which lack functional AAC genes have been reported to be resistant to BAX-induced cell death (45). Yeast strains containing mutations in all three yeast AAC genes have been reported in only one genetic background, W303 (10). In the yeast strain used here, and in a number of additional genetic backgrounds, strains containing deletions of the AAC2 gene encoding the main ANT are not viable during aerobic growth (32). Consistent with this observation, the yeast deletion project has defined the AAC2 gene as an essential gene (77). Thus, the reported resistance to BAX expression of W303 strains missing AAC genes may represent a strain-specific response that will be difficult to generalize. In addition, a recent report has failed to confirm the resistance of yeast strains missing AAC genes to BAX expression (60).
The physiological response of mutant mitochondria, as reflected in

m, is complex and is likely to depend on
the role of each protein in the generation of the ionic gradients that
create mitochondrial potentials, the pleiotropic effects induced by
each mutation, and possibly the existence of incomplete compensatory
mechanisms for each function. In a number of cases, ([rho0],
atp2,
atp4, and
por1
por2), the response of mutant mitochondria is similar to that
observed in wild-type cells: BAX results in a pronounced mitochondrial
hyperpolarization which is reversed by coexpression of
BCL-XL. Exceptions include cells missing cyt c,
which cannot transfer electrons from complex III to complex IV of the
respiratory chain. In this mutant, the transmembrane potential does not
respond to BAX expression but is mildly diminished by coexpression of
BCL-XL. In addition, the degree of hyperpolarization following BAX expression did not obviously correlate with the ability
of BAX to induce death in the various mitochondrial mutants. Thus,
these results indicate that mitochondrial hyperpolarization is not the
cause of and is not sufficient for BAX-induced cell death. This
suggests that changes in additional mitochondrial parameters are
probably essential for death to occur.
We have checked whether the production of ROS correlates with the
ability of BAX to induce death (Fig. 5). Our findings indicate that in
certain mutant backgrounds there is a correlation (e.g., [rho0] and
cyc1
cyc7) whereas in others there is
not (e.g.,
atp2 and
por1
por2). Thus, ROS production may be
involved in BAX killing, but further studies are needed to define the
exact role of ROS in this death process.
Taken together, our results suggest that caspase-independent, BAX-mediated cell killing in yeast requires aspects of mitochondrial biochemistry defined here. Elimination of the ATP2, ATP4, CYC1, and CYC7 genes, components of the respiratory chain encoded by the mitochondrial genome as reflected in [rho0] cells, decreases the efficiency of BAX-mediated killing. BAX-mediated cell death in yeast may require respiratory activity to generate ROS and/or alter mitochondrial ATP production. These results also demonstrate that two distinguishable responses occur following BAX expression in yeast: cell growth arrest, which does not require aspects of mitochondrial biochemistry defined by these mutations, and a cell-killing process, which does. BCL-XL can abrogate both the killing and the growth arrest signals. Our results suggest that the integration of cell cycle and cell death processes involving BCL-2 family members, as noted in mammalian cells (12, 37, 50), may also manifest in yeast and be separable in specific mutant backgrounds (e.g., [rho0] cells). The results presented here indicate that genetic analysis in yeast will provide an important tool to uncover mechanisms responsible for these two fundamental cellular process.
| |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS |
|---|
A.G. was supported by a fellowship from the Leukemia Society of America, and this work was supported by grants from the NIH to S.J.K. and M.F.
| |
FOOTNOTES |
|---|
* Corresponding authors. Mailing address for Dr. Forte: Vollum Institute, L474, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97201. Phone: (503) 494-5454. Fax: (503) 494-4976. E-mail: forte{at}ohsu.edu. Mailing address for Dr. Korsmeyer: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, One Jimmy Fund Way, SM-758, Boston, MA 02115. Phone: (617) 632-6402. Fax: (617) 632-6401. E-mail: Stanley_Korsmeyer{at}dfci.harvard.edu.
Present address: Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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