A method for the quick and easy isolation of quiescent yeast cells from a mixed population of cells has now been developed.
When yeast cells are deprived of nutrients, they enter stationary phase (SP) and differentiate into quiescent (Q) or nonquiescent (NQ) cells. Q cells are arrested in the G0 phase of the cell cycle but can begin to cycle again upon nutrient replenishment; they survive longer than NQ cells (which fail to enter G0) and are more resistant to environmental stresses. These characteristics make yeast Q cells a useful model for the study of cellular aging, cell cycle re-entry, and self-renewal of cells.
The most common approach to isolating yeast Q cells is using Percoll-based density gradient centrifugation, but this is laborious and time-consuming. In the October issue of BioTechniques, Stephen Fuchs and his colleagues at Tufts University describe a simple, inexpensive, and rapid method for Q-cell isolation using single-step density gradient centrifugation with iodixanol. SP cells are layered on top of a cushion of 30% iodixanol in a microfuge tube and centrifuged for 5 minutes. The Q cells are pelleted, while NQ cells are trapped at the interface between the cell buffer and the iodixanol.
Written By Patrick C.H. Lo
Updated 13 December, 2018
Source Ishtiaque Quasem, Christopher J. Luby, Charles R. Mace, and Stephen M. Fuchs. Density separation of quiescent yeast using iodixanol. BioTechniques 63:169-173 (October 2017) doi 10.2144/000114596