Analysis of gene expression profile in yeast aging chronologically.

The use of simple model systems such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans has played a primary role in the identification of proteins and pathways that regulate the aging process in eukaryotes. Recent findings have shown that analogous pathways regulate aging in higher eukaryotes and suggest a conserved origin for the molecular mechanisms that regulate stress-resistance and longevity. Genomics approaches that allow the simultaneous monitoring of the expression of thousands of genes are beginning to reveal the complexity of the molecular changes required to extend life span. Here we describe how analysis of the gene expression profiles of wild-type and long-lived yeast aging chronologically can be used to identify proteins that increase stress-resistance and longevity. We also discuss a novel genomics method for the identification of chronologically long-lived yeast mutants.