Abstract
BackgroundQuercetin is a naturally occurring flavonol with antioxidant, anticancer and anti-ageing properties. In this study we aimed to identify genes differentially expressed in yeast cells treated with quercetin and its role in oxidative stress protection.MethodsA microarray analysis was performed to characterize changes in the transcriptome and the expression of selected genes was validated by RT-qPCR. Biological processes significantly affected were identified by using the FUNSPEC software and their relevance in H2O2 resistance induced by quercetin was assessed.ResultsGenes associated with RNA metabolism and ribosome biogenesis were down regulated in cells treated with quercetin, whereas genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, endocytosis and vacuolar proteolysis were up regulated. The induction of genes related to the metabolism of energy reserves, leading to the accumulation of the stress protectant disaccharide trehalose, and the activation of the cell wall integrity pathway play a key role in oxidative stress resistance induced by quercetin.ConclusionsThese results suggest that quercetin may act as a modulator of cell signaling pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism and cell integrity to exert its protective effects against oxidative stress.
Highlights
Oxidative stress is a common hallmark in the genesis of multiple age-associated diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases [1], cancer [2] and neurodegenerative [3] disorders
Microarray Analysis of Quercetin Treated Yeast Cells In a previous study, the analysis of cellular protection against oxidative stress in yeast exposed to quercetin for different time periods showed that a 15 min pre-treatment was sufficient to increase hydrogen peroxide resistance [33]
Aiming to characterize short-term adaptive responses triggered by quercetin and to identify cellular functions that may contribute to its protective effect against oxidative stress, changes in gene expression were analyzed by using microarrays
Summary
Oxidative stress is a common hallmark in the genesis of multiple age-associated diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases [1], cancer [2] and neurodegenerative [3] disorders. Polyphenols are a group of plant secondary metabolites featuring more than one phenolic ring and without any nitrogen-based functional group in its structure [7]. The intrinsic antioxidant activities of quercetin have been attributed to direct scavenging of ROS, through the abstraction of unpaired electrons or hydrogen atoms, or metal ions chelation that prevents the generation of hydroxyl radical through Fenton-type reactions. These properties are largely a function of the chemical structure of quercetin (Figure 1), the presence and location of the hydroxyl substitutions (–OH) and the catechol-type B ring [7]. In this study we aimed to identify genes differentially expressed in yeast cells treated with quercetin and its role in oxidative stress protection
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