Effect of clomiphene on the content of sterols and fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A yeast-based screening assay identifies repurposed drugs that suppress mitochondrial fusion and mtDNA maintenance defects

Mitochondria continually move, fuse and divide, and these dynamics are essential for the proper function of the organelles. Indeed, the dynamic balance of fusion and fission of mitochondria determines their morphology and allows their immediate adaptation to energetic needs as well as preserving their integrity. As a consequence, mitochondrial fusion and fission dynamics and the proteins that control these processes, which are conserved from yeast to human, are essential, and their disturbances are associated with severe human disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. For example, mutations in OPA1, which encodes a conserved factor essential for mitochondrial fusion, lead to optic atrophy 1, a neurodegeneration that affects the optic nerve, eventually leading to blindness. Here, by screening a collection of ∼1600 repurposed drugs on a fission yeast model, we identified five compounds able to efficiently prevent the lethality associated with the loss of Msp1p, the fission yeast ortholog of OPA1. One compound, hexestrol, was able to rescue both the mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion induced by the loss of Msp1p, whereas the second, clomifene, only suppressed the mtDNA defect. Yeast has already been successfully used to identify candidate drugs to treat inherited mitochondrial diseases; this work may therefore provide useful leads for the treatment of optic atrophies such as optic atrophy 1 or Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.

Analysis of sterol esters from alga and yeast by high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with chemical ionization

Sterol esters from the green alga Chlorella kessleri and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were analysed by tandem high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-HPLC). Non-polar lipids were separated by normal-phase HPLC into individual classes and the fraction of sterol esters was subsequently separated by reversed-phase HPLC into intact molecular species. Further separation and identification of the fractions after HPLC were effected by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (cGC-MS) with positive and/or negative chemical ionization. A technique consisting of direct injection of the sample after its passage through the detector into the on-column injector of the gas chromatograph was used to transfer the sample from HPLC-HPLC to cGC-MS. By means of this method it was possible to demonstrate more than 30 sterols in both the alga and the yeast, and more than 20 new sterol esters were detected.

Sterol composition of a delta 5,7-sterol-rich strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during batch growth

Sterol composition was examined during batch growth on complex media containing ethanol, molasses or glucose as the carbon source. The molasses-grown cells exhibited a balanced sterol composition throughout growth, maintaining the proportion of ergosterol to 24:28-dehydroergosterol equal to 1.4. The negative effect of glucose on sterol synthesis manifested itself by decreasing the accumulation of 24:28-dehydroergosterol and total sterols but not of ergosterol. Using ethanol as the sole carbon source, a large amount of 24:28-dehydroergosterol accumulated, partly at the expense of other sterols. The gradual addition of nitrogen source during growth significantly decreased the accumulation of ergosterol, 24:28-dehydroergosterol and of total sterols. A general scheme of regulation of sterol synthesis in baker's yeast is presented.

Increased sterol formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Analysis of cell components and ultrastructure of vacuoles

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae nitrogen limitation under aerobic conditions (low specific growth rate) provokes an enhanced synthesis of sterols. Analysis of east cultures during the enhanced sterol biosynthesis showed a temporary decrease of protein content and a simultaneous increase in polysaccharide and lipid levels. This was reflected in the ultrastructure of cells where numerous lipid globules (spherosomes, oleosomes) appeared around extensive membrane-bound compartments containing membrane vesicles and lipoprotein material. Electronograms showed that such compartments were formed between the layers of endoplasmic reticulum and belonged to the vacuome phase of the yeast cell. It appears that vacuoles formed in yeast during enhanced synthesis of sterols have a storage rather than a lysosomal function.

Effect of clomiphene on fatty acids, sterols and membrane fluidity in clavine producing Claviceps purpurea strains

Clomiphene depressed the growth and enhanced clavine production of Claviceps purpurea strains 129,35 and 59. Mycelial content of 18:2 and 16:0 fatty acids decreased, whereas that of 18:1 and 18:0 acids increased. In the mutant strain 59 clomiphene, triadimefon and ergosterol stimulated the impaired function of chanoclavine cyclase. Their effect was counteracted by plant oil. Clomiphene decreased the content of total lipids (44%), triglycerides (32%), sterols (22%) and sterol/phospholipid molar ratio. The PC/PE ratio was 9X increased. Clomiphene and triadimefon enhanced membrane fluidity of protoplasts, ergosterol and oil reverted their effect.

Kinetics of delta 5,7-sterol accumulation during growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae accumulates delta 5,7-sterols up to 4 mg per g biomass. The differential rate of sterol synthesis continually increases during growth, its value only being decreased at sterol levels higher than 30 mg per g biomass. The specific rate of sterol synthesis reaches a broad maximum during the growth phase. The gradual sterol accumulation pattern is dominant in cultures growing both on fermentable and nonfermentable carbon sources and is modulated by glucose repression. Limited feeding with sucrose has a significantly greater negative impact on sterol accumulation than feeding with ethanol as a carbon source.