Abstract
Mitochondria play critical roles in cells, especially in energy homeostasis. One way to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis and quality is via dynamic fission and fusion processes. Mitochondrial dysfunction may associate with aging process. Fragmentation of mitochondria was found in senescent cells. In addition, Resveratrol, one of the ROS scavengers, can reduce the ratio of the senescent yeast cells with fragmented mitochondria. Studies indicated that resveratrol inhibits the activity of phosphodiesterase to ameliorate the aging phenotype in mammalian cells. Whether resveratrol affects cellular activity through phosphodiesterase is still under extensive debate. Our previous results suggested that inhibiting phosphodiesterase compromise the effects of resveratrol in senescent yeast cells. We aim to elucidate the role of phosphodiesterase in the mechanism of resveratrol mediated-mitochondrial dynamics in senescent cells. The results showed overexpression of PDE2 affects resveratrol to reduce the ratio of senescent cells with fragmented mitochondria, but not interfere resveratrol to mediate superoxide removal. Comparing to the wild type and Δpde2 cells, PDE2 is required for the effect of resveratrol on mitochondrial dynamics in senescent yeast cells. The results provide more understanding of underlying mechanisms of how resveratrol acts in senescent yeast cells.