Acquisition of aluminum tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by expression of the BCB or NtGDI1 gene derived from plants

Eleven aluminum stress-induced genes derived from plants (wheat, Arabidopsi s and tobacco) were introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae to test if exp ression of these genes confers Al tolerance. Al sensitivity tests showed th at expression of two genes, either an Arabidopsis gene for blue copper bind ing protein (BCB), or a tobacco gene for the GDP dissociation inhibitor (Nt GDII), conferred Al tolerance. Determinations of total content and localiza tion of Al ions in these transformants suggested that the BCB gene product functions in restricting Al uptake, while expression of the NtGDII gene pro motes release of Al ions after uptake. (C) 1999 Federation of European Micr obiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.