Targeting Copper Homeostasis Improves Functioning of vps13Δ Yeast Mutant Cells, a Model of VPS13-Related Diseases

Ion homeostasis is crucial for organism functioning, and its alterations may cause diseases. For example, copper insufficiency and overload are associated with Menkes and Wilson's diseases, respectively, and iron imbalance is observed in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. To better understand human diseases, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast are used as a model organism. In our studies, we used the vps13Δ yeast strain as a model of rare neurological diseases caused by mutations in VPS13A-D genes. In this work, we show that overexpression of genes encoding copper transporters, CTR1, CTR3, and CCC2, or the addition of copper salt to the medium, improved functioning of the vps13Δ mutant. We show that their mechanism of action, at least partially, depends on increasing iron content in the cells by the copper-dependent iron uptake system. Finally, we present that treatment with copper ionophores, disulfiram, elesclomol, and sodium pyrithione, also resulted in alleviation of the defects observed in vps13Δ cells. Our study points at copper and iron homeostasis as a potential therapeutic target for further investigation in higher eukaryotic models of VPS13-related diseases.

Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, the main green tea component, is toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking the Fet3/Ftr1

Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), the main green tea component, is intensively studied for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer effects. In the present study, a screen on a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene deletion library was performed to identify conditions under which EGCG had deleterious rather than beneficial effects. Two genes were identified whose deletion resulted in sensitivity to EGCG: FET3 and FTR1, encoding the components of the Fet3/Ftr1 high-affinity iron uptake system, also involved in Cu(I)/Cu(II) balance on the surface of yeast cells. The presence of EGCG in the growth medium induced the production of Cu(I), with deleterious effects on fet3Δ and ftr1Δ cells. Additionally, when combined, physiological surpluses of Cu(II) and EGCG acted in synergy not only against fet3Δ and ftr1Δ, but also against wild type cells, by generating surplus Cu(I) in the growth medium. The results imply that caution should be taken when combining EGCG-rich beverages/nutraceuticals with copper-rich foods.