The inhibition of cell division in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Meyen) by carbon dioxide

A specific inhibiting effect of CO² on cell division in Saccharomycescerevisiae (Meyen) was shown. Two strains of S. cerevisiae weregrown in chemically-defined media in specially-designed pressurechambers equipped with sensitive pressure-measuring devices.The chambers were pressurized with 40 psi of N₂ or CO₂. Inhibitionof cell division and of production of new buds was not causedby N₂ but was caused by CO₂ when either endogenously producedor added. In contrast, metabolic production of CO₂ was unaffectedby endogenously-produced pressures which totally inhibited celldivision. Bud formation and new-cell formation (cell division) were almosttotally inhibited by 40 psi of added CO₂ when compared withaerated cultures. The DNA content per cell, however, was nearlytwice as great in the CO₂-treated cultures as in the controls.Thus inhibition of cell division in S. cerevisiae must occurby some mechanism other than by inhibition of DNA replication. (Received January 5, 1971; )