Transient hyperpolarization of yeast by glucose and ethanol |
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Authors: | J B van de Mortel D Mulders H Korthout A P Theuvenet G W Borst-Pauwels |
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Institution: | Laboratory of Chemical Cytology, R.C. University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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