Hypoosmolality impedes cytoophidium integrity during nitrogen starvation

Yeast. 2021 Apr;38(4):276-289. doi: 10.1002/yea.3542. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Abstract

CTP synthase (CTPS) cytoophidia have been found in many species over domains of life in the past 10 years, implying the evolutionary conservation of these structures. However, there are differences in cytoophidia between species. The difference in CTPS cytoophidium properties between budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) inspires this research. We study the effects of culture environment on cytoophidia in S. cerevisiae by switching to the optimal medium for S. pombe. S. cerevisiae CTPS cytoophidium fragmentation and pseudohyphae formation are observed after treatment with S. pombe medium YES instead of S. cerevisiae medium YPD. By modifying the level of each ingredient of the media, we find that hypoosmolality impedes cytoophidium integrity during nitrogen starvation. Our study demonstrates the relationship between cytoophidium integrity and environmental stress, supporting the role of cytoophidia in stress resistance.

Keywords: CTP synthase; Saccharomyces; cytoophidium; hypoosmolarity; nitrogen starvation; pseudohypha.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases / genetics
  • Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases / metabolism*
  • Culture Media / chemistry*
  • Culture Media / pharmacology
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / drug effects
  • Schizosaccharomyces / enzymology
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces / metabolism*
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases
  • CTP synthetase
  • Nitrogen