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Yeast as a Model for Alzheimer’s Disease: Latest Studies and Advanced Strategies

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Systems Biology of Alzheimer's Disease

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1303))

Abstract

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a unicellular eukaryotic model, has enabled major breakthroughs in our understanding of a plethora of cellular and molecular processes. Today, a ‘re-invention’ of its use in fundamental and applied research is paving the way for a better understanding of the mechanisms causing neurodegeneration. The increasing emergence of neurodegenerative disorders is becoming more and more problematic in our ageing society. Most prevalent is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), affecting more than 35 million people worldwide (Abbott, Nature 475, S2–S4, 2011) and causing an enormous burden on a personal and communal level. The disease is characterized by two major pathological hallmarks: extracellular amyloid plaques consisting mainly of deposits of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides, and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), consisting mainly of aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Despite the huge importance of thoroughly understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, progress has been slow. However, multiple complementary research methods are proving their value, particularly with the work done with S. cerevisiae, which combines well-established, fast genetic and molecular techniques with the ability to faithfully capture key molecular aspects of neurodegeneration. In this review chapter, we focus on the considerable progress made using S. cerevisiae as a model system for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Functional Biology, Yeast Biotechnology Group, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Box 2433, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium

    Mathias Verduyckt, Tine Bynens, Jeff Van den Brande, Vanessa Franssens & Joris Winderickx

  2. Institut de Biochimie et Génétique Cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5095, Université Bordeaux 2, Victor Segalen, 33077, Bordeaux, France

    Hélène Vignaud & Christophe Cullin

Authors
  1. Mathias Verduyckt
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  2. Hélène Vignaud
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  3. Tine Bynens
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  4. Jeff Van den Brande
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  5. Vanessa Franssens
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  6. Christophe Cullin
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  7. Joris Winderickx
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Correspondence to Mathias Verduyckt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry & Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    Juan I. Castrillo

  2. Department of Biochemistry & Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    Stephen G. Oliver

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Verduyckt, M. et al. (2016). Yeast as a Model for Alzheimer’s Disease: Latest Studies and Advanced Strategies. In: Castrillo, J., Oliver, S. (eds) Systems Biology of Alzheimer's Disease. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1303. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2627-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2627-5_11

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2626-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2627-5

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