Role for trehalase during germination of spores in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Spores from Schizosaccharomyces pombe contain neutral and acid trehalases. When spores from strains disrupted for ntp1(+), which encodes neutral treha lase, were induced to germinate, the onset of the process was markedly dela yed as compared to wild-type spores. Further outgrowth was also reduced. Do rmant spores lacking neutral trehalase contained twice the amount of trehal ose present in wild-type spores and mobilised the intracellular pool of tre halose at a slower rate during germination. Inhibition by phloridzin of the sporulation-specific acid trehalase in ntp1-disrupted spores arrested germ ination completely while prompting no effect on wild-type spores. These res ults suggest that the two trehalase enzymes may support the utilisation of trehalose during germination but neutral trehalase is required for a more r apid and efficient process. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.