The Yin and Yang of replicative aging and rejuvenation

Budding yeast undergoes replicative aging through asymmetric cell divisions. Yeast mother cells progressively age as they generate successive daughter cells, until they ultimately die. However, their daughters are born rejuvenated, that is, most of them recover a full lifespan potential, with little impact of their mothers' age at their birth. In this review, we will discuss recent findings regarding the mechanisms of replicative aging and rejuvenation. Based on these insights, we will also discuss which evolutionary forces may have presided over the emergence of aging in yeast. We suggest that aging and rejuvenation represent two adaptive strategies that each bring their own benefits.