Engineering ATP Import in Yeast Uncovers a Synthetic Route to Extend Cellular Lifespan

Introducing extracellular ATP import into Saccharomyces cerevisiae extends cellular lifespan by restoring ATP levels and suppressing glucose metabolism.

• Why it matters: Understanding the causal link between ATP homeostasis and aging is crucial, as declining ATP production is a hallmark of cellular aging, yet direct evidence has been lacking.
• What they did: The study employed a nucleotide transporter from a eukaryotic parasite to enable extracellular ATP import into yeast cells, allowing precise manipulation of intracellular ATP levels across experimental conditions.
• The result: Elevating ATP levels through import fully restored lifespan and inhibited catabolic gene expression, highlighting energy metabolism as a key target for interventions aimed at extending cellular longevity.