Decreased synthesis of alkali-soluble glucan in a cell-wall mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In vivo studies and quantitative measurements of glucans provide evidence for a decreased rate of synthesis and a lower amount of alkali-soluble glucan in cells of the osmotically fragile VY1160 mutant of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Combined genetic and biochemical analysis shows that the srb1 mutation is responsible for the reduction of alkali-soluble glucan. Data on beta(1----3) glucan synthase activity did not indicate the participation of the enzyme in the in vivo synthesis of alkali-soluble glucan and suggest the existence of other glucan synthases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.