Identification of candidate genes contributing to lifespan extension caused by retrotransposons in budding yeast

RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed genes in a Saccharomyces paradoxus strain with no retrotransposons compared to three derived strains with approximately 20 or more copies of a Ty1 retrotransposon. The high copy Ty1 retrotransposon strains have longer chronological lifespans than the zero copy parent strain when grown under mild stress conditions, including when a low dose of hydroxyurea is added to rich medium. RNA was extracted from strains grown to stationary phase in standard rich medium (YPD) or rich medium with hydroxyurea (YPD with HU) to determine genes differentially expressed due to just the presence of retrotransposons or the combined presence of retrotransposons and hydroxyurea. Differentially expressed genes were considered as candidate genes contributing to the extension of yeast lifespan by retrotransposons under conditions of mild stress.