Phospholipases in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Understanding the regulation of lipid metabolism is of crucial importance in understanding cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis and lipid associated disorders, such as obesity. Involvement of phospholipase-mediated signal transduction pathways in these processes has been described in mammals, but the molecular basis behind that has not been completely elucidated. Known targets for secretory phospholipases A2 action are involved also in the regulation of the cell cycle and these interactions are therefore important in studying cancer. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model eukaryotic organism represents an important tool for studies on the regulation of the lipid metabolism on the molecular level, as well as that on other evolutionary conserved cellular processes, such as the regulation of the cell cycle. In the proposed project we will investigate phospholipase-mediated signalling in yeast, which has so far not been described in this species. Indications for such signal transduction pathway were found in our previous work when yeast was used as a model target cell for secretory phospholipases A2. Ammodytoxin, a neurotoxic phospholipase from the long-nosed viper venom will be used as a tool in our studies, but we will also focus on the yeast endogenous phospholipases. Besides, we will study the involvement of secretory phospholipases in the regulation of the cell cycle. This research will contribute to understanding the regulation of lipid metabolism and mechanisms of action of neurotoxic and non-toxic secretory phospholipases A2 in eukaryotic cells. At the same time, by using the cutting edge research techniques to study lipid metabolism on the whole-genome level, the project will contribute to development of research in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology in Slovenia and in Europe.