2005 Volume 22 Issue 5 Pages 419-422
Classical yeast genetic approaches have been successfully applied for identification of genes related to the suppression of cell death. Isolated genes included several reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes such as SOD (superoxide dismutase), peroxidase, and GST (glutathione S-transferase). The AtBI-1 (Arabidopsis Bax Inhibitor-1), which is a plant homolog of mammalian antiapoptotic gene BI-1, was also isolated as a suppressor of Bax-mediated lethality in yeast. Overexpression of BI-1 suppresses Bax-, H2O2−, salicylic acid-, and elicitor- induced cell death in plant cells. These data indicate conserved overlapping pathways that regulate ROS-mediated cell death in plants and animals.