Some characteristics of tetraphenylphosphonium uptake into Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The link between yeast cell wall porosity and plasma membrane permeability after PEF treatment

An investigation of the yeast cell resealing process was performed by studying the absorption of the tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP⁺) ion by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It was shown that the main barrier for the uptake of such TPP⁺ ions is the cell wall. An increased rate of TPP⁺ absorption after treatment of such cells with a pulsed electric field (PEF) was observed only in intact cells, but not in spheroplasts. The investigation of the uptake of TPP⁺ in PEF treated cells exposed to TPP⁺ for different time intervals also showed the dependence of the absorption rate on the PEF strength. The modelling of the TPP⁺ uptake recovery has also shown that the characteristic decay time of the non-equilibrium (PEF induced) pores was approximately a few tens of seconds and this did not depend on the PEF strength. A further investigation of such cell membrane recovery process using a florescent SYTOX Green nucleic acid stain dye also showed that such membrane resealing takes place over a time that is like that occurring in the cell wall. It was thus concluded that the similar characteristic lifetimes of the non-equilibrium pores in the cell wall and membrane after exposure  to  PEF indicate a strong coupling between these parts of the cell.

Energy-dependent, carrier-mediated extrusion of carboxyfluorescein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae allows rapid assessment of cell viability by flow cytometry

Carboxyfluorescein diacetate is a nonfluorescent compound which can be used in combination with flow cytometry for vital staining of yeasts and bacteria. The basis of this method is the assumption that, once inside the cell, carboxyfluorescein diacetate is hydrolyzed by nonspecific esterases to produce the fluorescent carboxyfluorescein (cF). cF is retained by cells with intact membranes (viable cells) and lost by cells with damaged membranes. In this report, we show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae extrudes cF in an energy-dependent manner. This efflux was studied in detail, and several indications that a transport system is involved were found. Efflux of cF was stimulated by the addition of glucose and displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. A Km for cF transport of 0.25 mM could be determined. The transport of cF was inhibited by the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase inhibitors N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and diethylstilbestrol and by high concentrations of tetraphenylphosphonium ions. These treatments resulted in a dissipation of the proton motive force, whereas the intracellular ATP concentration remained high. Transport of cF is therefore most probably driven by the membrane potential and/or the pH gradient. The viability of S. cerevisiae was determined by a two-step procedure consisting of loading the cells with cF followed by incubation at 40 degrees C in the presence of glucose. Subsequently, the fluorescence intensity of the cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The efflux experiments showed an excellent correlation between the viability of S. cerevisiae cells and the ability to translocate cF. This method should prove of general utility for the rapid assessment of yeast vitality and viability.

Small lipid-soluble cations are not membrane voltage probes for Neurospora or Saccharomyces

Small lipid-soluble cations, such as tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) and tetraphenylarsonium (TPA+) are frequently used as probes of membrane voltage (delta psi, or Vm) for small animal cells, organelles, and vesicles. Because much controversy has accompanied corresponding measurements on 'walled' eukaryotic cells (plants, fungi), we studied their transport and relation to Vm in the large-celled fungus Neurospora crassa-where Vm can readily be determined with microelectrodes-as well as in the most commonly used model eukaryotic cell, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found no reasonable conditions under which the distribution of TPP+ or TPA+, between the cytoplasm (i) and extracellular solution (o), can serve to estimate Vm, even roughly, in either of these organisms. When applied at probe concentrations (i.e., < or = 100 microM, which did not depolarize the cells nor deplete ATP), TPP+ stabilized at ratios (i/o) below 30 in both organisms. That would imply apparent Vm values positive to -90 mV, in the face of directly measured Vm values (in Neurospora) negative to -180 mV. When applied at moderate or high concentrations (1-30 mM), TPP+ and TPA+ induced several phases of depolarization and changes of membrane resistance (Rm), as well as depletion of cytoplasmic energy stores. Only the first phase depolarization, occurring within the perfusion-turnover time and accompanied by a nearly proportionate decline of Rm, could have resulted from TPP+ or TPA+ currents per se. And the implied currents were small. Repeated testing, furthermore, greatly reduced the depolarizing effects of these lipid-soluble ions, implicating an active cellular response to decrease membrane permeability.

The distribution of permeant ions demonstrates the presence of at least two distinct electrical gradients in bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei

The distribution of 86Rb+ and the radiolabelled lipophilic cation [3H]methyltriphenylphosphonium (MePh3P+) was used to investigate the membrane potentials that exist in bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei. Even after correction for binding to cellular constituents, the accumulation of MePh3P+ was approximately tenfold greater than the accumulation of Rb+ under resting conditions. The addition of low concentrations of carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone or valinomycin reduced the accumulation of MePh3P+ tenfold without perturbing the accumulation of Rb+. Although selective permeabilization of the plasma membrane abolished the accumulation of Rb+ and caused a substantial decrease in the accumulation of MePh3P+, a significant carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone-sensitive accumulation of MePh3P+ persisted under these conditions. These data were consistent with the presence of at least two distinct membrane potentials (delta psi) in bloodstream forms of T. brucei; a potential across the plasma membrane (delta psi p) and an additional delta psi, generated by the electrogenic movement of H+, across the membrane of an intracellular organelle that possesses no electrical permeability to Rb+ or K+.

Physiology of mutants with reduced expression of plasma membrane H+-ATPase

Two mutations containing insertions and deletions in the promoter in the plasma membrane H+-ATPase gene (PMA1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been introduced into the genome by homologous recombination, replacing the wild-type gene. The resulting strains have 15 and 23% of the wild-type ATPase content. Decreased levels of ATPase correlate with decreased rates of proton efflux and decreased uptake rates of amino acids, methylamine, hygromycin B and tetraphenylphosphonium. This supports a central role of the enzyme in yeast bioenergetics. However, the final accumulation gradient of tetraphenylphosphonium is not affected by the mutations and that of methylamine and 2-aminoisobutyric acid is only decreased in the most extreme mutant. Apparently, kinetic constraints seem to prevent the equilibration of yeast active transports with the electrochemical proton gradient. As expected from their transport defects, the ATPase-deficient mutants are more resistant to hygromycin B and more sensitive to acidification than wild-type yeast. Mutant cells are very elongated, suggesting a structural role of the ATPase in the yeast surface.

Kinetic properties, nutrient-dependent regulation and energy coupling of amino-acid transport systems in Penicillium cyclopium

In submerged grown hyphae of Penicillium cyclopium the activities of seven transport systems could be distinguished which share in the uptake of L-arginine, L-glutamic acid, L-phenylalanine and L-leucine. They include the specific systems a (accepting L-arginine and L-lysine), b (L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine), c (L-glutamic acid) and d (L-leucine), system I (a 'general amino-acid permease') and the low-affinity systems II and III, which accept acidic or basic amino acids, respectively, but also L-phenylalanine. In nutrient-sufficient cells, systems I, II and III remain repressed; uptake is dominated by the specific systems b, c, d and a, the latter reaching its maximum activity. Nitrogen starvation is the most powerful signal for the development of systems I, II and III, whereas, in carbon-starved cells, systems b, c and d reach maximum activities. The development of the general amino-acid permease in nitrogen-starved cells requires both translational and--with a few hours delay--transcriptional events as indicated by the influence of cycloheximide and 5-fluorouracil. The uptake of all amino acids is accompanied by a transient acidification of the cellular interior. Short-time preaccumulation of several anions, such as citrate, alpha-oxo-glutarate, glutamate (but not glutamine), increases the initial rate of amino-acid uptake at a pH above the optimum. Uncouplers inhibit the uptake not only under aerobic but also under anaerobic conditions, where the ATP content is not influenced by these compounds. These findings point to an H+/amino acid symport, which is tightly connected with the recycling of the incoming protons by the plasmalemma H+-ATPase.

Transient hyperpolarization of yeast by glucose and ethanol

At pH 7, addition of glucose under anaerobic conditions to a suspension of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes both a transient hyperpolarization and a transient net efflux of K+ from the cells. Hyperpolarization shows a peak at about 3 min and a net K+ efflux at 4-5 min. An additional transient hyperpolarization and net K+ efflux are found after 60-80 and 100 min, respectively. Addition of 2-deoxyglucose instead of glucose does not lead to hyperpolarization of the cells or K+ efflux. At low pH, neither transient hyperpolarization nor a transient K+ efflux are found. With ethanol as substrate and applying aerobic conditions, both a transient hyperpolarization and a transient K+ efflux are found at pH 7. The fluorescent probe 2-(dimethylaminostyryl)-1-ethylpyridinium appears to be useful for probing changes in the membrane potential of S. cerevisiae. It is hypothesized that the hyperpolarization of the cells is due to opening of K+ channels in the plasma membrane. Accordingly, the hyperpolarization of the cells at pH 7 is almost completely abolished by 1.25 mM K+, whereas the same amount of Na+ does not reduce the hyperpolarization.

Sodium transport and phosphorus metabolism in sodium-loaded yeast: simultaneous observation with sodium-23 and phosphorus-31 NMR spectroscopy in vivo

Simultaneous 23Na and 31P NMR spectra were obtained from a number of yeast suspensions. Prior to NMR spectroscopy, the yeast cells were Na-loaded: this replaced some of the intracellular K+ with Na+. These cells were also somewhat P-deficient in that they had no polyphosphate species visible in the 31P NMR spectrum. In the NMR experiments, the Na-loaded cells were suspended in media which contained inorganic phosphate, very low Na+, and a shift reagent for the Na+ NMR signal. The media differed as to whether dioxygen, glucose, or K+ was present individually or in combinations and as to whether the medium was buffered or not. The NMR spectra revealed that the cells always lost Na+ and gained phosphorus. However, the nature of the Na+ efflux time course and the P metabolism differed depending on the medium. The Na+ efflux usually proceeded linearly until the amount of Na+ extruded roughly equalled the amount of NH4+ and orthophosphate initially present in the medium (external phosphate was added as NH4H2PO4). Thus, we presume this first phase reflects a Na+ for NH4+ exchange. The Na+ efflux then entered a transition phase, either slowing, ceasing, or transiently reversing, before resuming at about the same value as that of the first phase. We presume that this last phase involves the simultaneous extrusion of intracellular anions as reported in the literature. The phosphorus metabolism was much more varied. In the absence of exogenous glucose, the P taken up accumulated first as intracellular inorganic phosphate; otherwise, it accumulated first in the "sugar phosphate" pool. In most cases, at least some of the P left the sugar phosphate pool and entered the polyphosphate reservoir in the vacuole. However, this never happened until the phase probably representing Na+ for NH4+ exchange was completed, and the P in the polyphosphate pool never remained there permanently but always eventually reverted back to the sugar phosphate pool. These changes are interpreted in terms of hierarchical energy demands on the cells under the different conditions. In particular, the energy for the Na+ for NH4+ exchange takes precedence over that required to produce and store polyphosphate. This conclusion is supported by the fact that when the cells are "forced" to exchange K+, as well as NH4+, for Na+ (by the addition of 5 times as much K+ to the NH4+-containing medium), polyphosphates are never significantly formed, and the initial linear Na+ efflux phase persists possibly 6 times as long.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The role of ATP in the control of H+-galactoside symport in the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus

Transport of methyl beta-D-thiogalactoside and p-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactoside is shown to proceed through the H+-lactose symporter of Kluyveromyces marxianus. Uptake of these compounds is strongly reduced under anaerobic conditions or aerobically in the presence of antimycin. It is shown that antimycin treatment affects p-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactoside uptake in a similar way as it affects the cellular amount of ATP, suggesting regulation of p-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactoside transport by ATP. Also, manipulation of cellular ATP by antimycin treatment followed by glucose incubation, or by aerobic incubation of cells with 2-deoxy-D-glucose, showed a similar dependence of galactoside uptake on the ATP level. Transport of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium is affected by ATP variations in a similar way as galactoside influx. It is concluded that ATP regulates H+-galactoside symport by its influence on charge translocation. It is discussed that a membrane ATPase probably plays a central role in the control of the activity of H+-sugar symport.

Tetraphenylphosphonium is an indicator of negative membrane potential in Candida albicans

The characteristics of the uptake of lipophilic cations tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) into Candida albicans have been investigated to establish whether TPP+ can be used as a membrane potential probe for this yeast. A membrane potential (delta psi, negative inside) across the plasma membrane of C. albicans was indicated by the intracellular accumulation of TPP+. The steady-state distribution of TPP+ was reached within 60 min and varied according to the expected changes of delta psi. Agents known to depolarize membrane potential caused a rapid and complete efflux of accumulated TPP+. The initial influx of TPP+ was linear over a wide range of TPP+ concentrations (2.5-600 microM), indicating a non mediated uptake. Thus, TPP+ is a suitable delta psi probe for this yeast.

Tetraphenylphosphonium ion is a true indicator of negative plasma-membrane potential in the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis. Experiments under osmotic stress and at low external pH values

In the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis, accumulation of the tetraphenylphosphonium ion (TPP+) was increased under conditions of osmotic stress, indicating a hyperpolarization of the negative membrane potential (delta psi). The following observations were consistent with the occurrence of hyperpolarized delta psi: enhanced accumulation of glucosamine, the uptake of which is also driven by delta psi; increased respiratory rate. The accumulation of TPP+ was gradually decreased by lowering the pH of cell suspensions. At pH values below 4.5, no TPP+ was taken up, but instead thiocyanate (SCN-) was accumulated, indicating a positive delta psi. The pH-dependent influx of glucosamine followed the pattern of TPP+ accumulation both in the wild-type and in the nystatin-resistant mutant, M67, which displayed a negative delta psi down to pH 3. Thus TPP+ accumulation in Rh. glutinis reflected actual electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane.

The use of a cyanine dye in measuring membrane potential in yeast

An attempt was made to use 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine as a membrane potential probe in yeast by following both its fluorescence changes and its uptake by the cells under different conditions. It was found that the uptake of the dye into the cytoplasmic compartment was translated into an increased fluorescence, and the uptake by the mitochondria produced a quenching of the fluorescence. The experiments to measure uptake showed that a large amount of the dye was taken up by the cells under "deenergized" conditions. The uptake of the cyanine, however, was significantly reduced by the omission of the substrate, by deenergization of the mitochondria, or by the addition of K+, but not by Na+. This cyanine seems to be a good, qualitative indicator of the potential of the plasma membrane and of the mitochondria of the cells, with a faster response than those probes used before in yeast.

Possible energization of K+ accumulation into metabolizing yeast by the protonmotive force. Binding correction to be applied in the calculation of the yeast membrane potential from tetraphenylphosphonium distribution

Membrane potentials of yeast cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, calculated from the equilibrium distribution of tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) between cell-water and medium should be corrected for a contribution due to binding of TPP to intracellular constituents. The magnitude of this correction depends upon the way in which it is determined. In cells permeabilized by boiling, cell-binding is much higher than in cells permeabilized by repeated freezing and thawing. The binding corrections are 75 +/- 1 mV and 49 +/- 7 mV, respectively. The binding correction obtained from TPP distribution between deenergized cells and medium is much lower and amounts to 19 +/- 9 mV. The latter value is probably more reliable. It is supposed that permeabilization of the cells by boiling or repeated freezing and thawing unmasks potential TPP binding groups in the cell. The K+ accumulation into anaerobically metabolizing yeast cells can be accounted for almost quantitatively by a cotransport of protons and K+ ions if the lower binding correction is applied. This means that K+ accumulation into the yeast cell may be driven by the sum of the protonmotive force and the membrane potential.

Effects of phenothiazines on inhibition of plasma membrane ATPase and hyperpolarization of cell membranes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The transmembranal potential, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been calculated from the distribution ratio of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) between the intracellular and extracellular water. Trifluoperazine at concentrations of 10 to 50 microM, caused a substantial increase in the membrane potential (negative inside). This increase was observed only in the presence of a metabolic substrate and was eliminated by the addition of the protonophores 2,4-dinitrophenol and sodium azide, removal of glucose, replacement of glucose by the nonmetabolizable analog 3-O-methyl glucose, or by the addition of 100 mM KCl. An increase in 45CaCl2 accumulation from solutions of low concentrations (1 microM) was observed under all conditions where membrane potential was increased. Proton ejection activity was monitored by measurements of the rates of the decrease in the pH of unbuffered cell suspensions in the presence of glucose. Trifluoperazine inhibited the changes in medium pH; this inhibition was not the result of an increase in the permeability of cell membranes to protons since in the absence of glucose, trifluoperazine did not cause a change in the rate of pH change generated by proton influx. The activity of plasma membrane ATPase was measured in crude membrane preparations in the presence of sodium azide to inhibit mitochondrial ATPase. Trifluoperazine strongly inhibited the activity of the plasma membrane ATPase. The effect of phenothiazines on transport and on membrane potential reported in this study and in the previous one (Eilam, Y. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 733, 242-248) were observed only in the presence of a metabolic substrate. The possibility that energy is required for the uptake of phenothiazines into the cells was eliminated by results showing energy-independent uptake of [3H]chlorpromazine. The results strongly suggest that phenothiazines activate energy-dependent K+-extrusion pumps, which lead to increased membrane potential. Increased influx of calcium seems to be energized by membrane potential, and therefore stimulated under all conditions where membrane potential is increased. The analog which does not bind to calmodulin, trifluoperazine sulfoxide, had no effect on the cells, but the involvement of calmodulin in the processes altered by trifluoperazine cannot as yet, be determined.

Ammonia accumulation in acetate-growing yeast

During growth on acetate, the pH of yeast cultures rises from 5.8 to around 7-8 in the stationary phase. This was found to result from acetic acid uptake and accompanying H+ loss. In addition, acetate-growing yeast were found to accumulate ammonia. The influence of pH on ammonia transport and accumulation was studied with the analogue [14C]methylamine with the following results. (a) Methylamine uptake kinetics from 0.1-50 mM were consistent with a single-component uptake system (NH+4 permease) at pH values more acidic than 6.5, and with a two-component system (NH+4 permease and NH3 diffusion) above pH 7.5. (b) Equilibrium accumulation of methylamine was found to increase with increasing pH. (c) Methylamine efflux from methylamine-loaded cells increased as the external pH decreased. It was concluded from measurements of the internal pH under various culture conditions that the accumulation of ammonia in acetate-growing alkaline cultures resulted from the sum of two processes: (1) an energy-driven NH+4 transport; and (2) NH3 diffusion dependent on the delta pH.

The energetics of D-fucose transport in Saccharomyces fragilis. The influence of the protonmotive force on sugar accumulation

The protonmotive force in Saccharomyces fragilis has been estimated under various experimental conditions. The transmembrane potential has been monitored with tetraphenylphosphonium and 3,3'-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine. The distribution ratio of these cations between intracellular and extracellular water appeared to be governed by the electrical potential difference across the membrane of this yeast strain. The transmembrane pH difference was deduced from dimethyloxazolidinedione uptake experiments and from direct measurements of intracellular pH after freezing and boiling of the cells. Both methods yielded similar results. D-Fucose is transported by S. fragilis via H+ symport, with a H+/fucose stoichiometry of approximately 1. Accumulation of this sugar appeared to be closely correlated with the protonmotive force.