Why did Ohsumi use yeast for autophagy studies?
Yeast, specifically *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, is an excellent model organism for studying fundamental cellular processes like autophagy. Its genetic tractability allows for systematic screening to identify genes involved in a process. We could easily isolate mutants that were defective in autophagy. Furthermore, yeast cells share many core cellular mechanisms with higher eukaryotes. The relative simplicity of the yeast vacuole, analogous to the lysosome in mammalian cells, also made it easier to visualize and biochemically analyze the degradation process. The yeast system allows for rigorous, step-by-step investigation.
Ask Yoshinori Ohsumi the follow-up →