Mercurial toxicity in yeast: evidence for catabolic pathway inhibition

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5121036

Brunker, R L

Evidence that the mechanism of mercurial toxicity is a blockage of catabolic metabolism is presented. Yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were found to cease respiratory activities within 1.5 min of contact time with culture mercurials (as HgCl/sub 2/). This cessation was followed by the rapid depletion of endogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and a concomitant increase in phosphorylated hexoses. Levels of ATP in the culture medium remained essentially unchanged during this interval suggesting that the structural integrity of the membrane was not affected. Medium potassium concentrations did not increase until after endogenous ATP levels had begun to fall, suggesting that the loss of cellular potassium was the result of the inability of membrane ATPases to function because of the unavailability of sufficient substrate ATP to maintain this gradient. 26 references, 3 figures.

• Research Organization: Stroud Water Research Center of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Avondale, PA
• OSTI ID: 5121036
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 32:4; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560301 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Cells-- (-1987)
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID ANHYDRASES
ATP
ATP-ASE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CATABOLISM
ELEMENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
FUNGI
HYDROLASES
INHIBITION
MERCURY
METABOLISM
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHOHYDROLASES
PLANTS
RESPIRATION
SACCHAROMYCES
TOXICITY
YEASTS