M. Okuyama et al., Effect of some heavy metal ions on copper-induced metallothionein synthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, BIOMETALS, 12(4), 1999, pp. 307-314
Copper-induced metallothionein (MT) synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae w
as investigated in order to associate this exclusively with Cu2+ in vivo, w
hen cultured in nutrient medium containing other heavy metal ions. Expressi
on of the CUP1 promoter/lacZ fusion gene was inhibited by all heavy metal i
ons tested, especially Cd2+ and Mn2+. By adding Cd2+ and Mn2+ at 10 mu M co
ncentration, the beta-galactosidase activity decreased by about 80% and 50%
of the maximum induction observed with 1 mM CuSO4, respectively. Furthermo
re, cell growth was markedly inhibited by combinations of 1 mM-Cu2+ and 1 m
u M-Cd2+. Therefore, the yeast S. cerevisiae could not rely on MT synthesis
as one of the copper-resistance mechanisms, when grown in a Cd2+ environme
nt. In contrast, the presence of Mn2+ in the nutrient medium showed allevia
tion rather than growth inhibition by high concentrations of Cu2+. The reco
very from growth inhibition by Mn2+ was due to decreased Cu2+ accumulation.
Inhibitory concentrations of Co2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ on expression of the CUP1
p/lacZ fusion gene were at least one order of magnitude higher than that of
Cd2+ and Mn2+. These results are discussed in relation to Cu2+ transport a
nd Cu-induced MT synthesis in the copper-resistance mechanism of the yeast
S. cerevisiae.