Schizosaccharomyces pombe becomes resistant to killing by high concent
ration of hydrogen peroxide and other severe stresses including oxidan
ts, high temperature and high concentration of ethanol when pretreated
with nonlethal levels of hydrogen peroxide. In the presence of the pr
otein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, during hydrogen peroxide pre
treatment, the cell obtained partial resistance to a higher level of h
ydrogen peroxide. The partial resistance to hydrogen peroxide in the p
resence of cycloheximide was acquired within 30 min of pretreatment bu
t complete resistance obtained with de novo protein synthesis was not
attained before 45 min of pretreatment. During adaptation to hydrogen
peroxide, at least 15 polypeptides are induced, as analyzed by two-dim
ensional gel electrophoresis. Catalase activity is induced eight-fold
by treatment with a nonlethal level of hydrogen peroxide.