The Effects of Sugar Substitutes on Gene Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Effects of Sugar Substitutes on Gene Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Sugar substitutes are marketed as being healthier than sucrose (table sugar). Within this experiment, information about how table sugar and three different sugar substitutes, Splenda (sucralose-based), Truvia (stevia-based), and Equal (aspartame-based), affect gene expression in yeast was examined. Since the genomes of yeast and humans are approximately 30% similar, the specific genes selected for analysis in yeast overlapped with genes that are expressed in humans. Thus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae(Baker’s yeast) was used as a model eukaryotic organism in order to examine the effects of sugar substitute exposure on gene expression. The yeast was grown under four different conditions: 1) A control environment with yeast grown in regular growth media (YEPD) + sucrose, 2) An experimental environment with yeast grown in YEPD + sucralose, 3) An experimental environment with yeast grown in YEPD + aspartame and 4) An experimental environment with yeast grown in YEPD + stevia. Total RNA was then extracted and evaluated using gel electrophoresis allowing visualization of the ribosomal RNA subunits. Subsequently, cDNA was made from the extracted total RNA specifically targeting the mRNA within the sample. PCR was then performed to examine particular genes of interest in the cDNA and their relative degree of expression was compared via gel electrophoresis.