Low concentrations of the non-ionic detergent Nonidet P-40 interfere with sterol biogenesis and viability of the yeast

Abstract

Mild non-ionic detergents are used for solubilization of hydrophobic substrates in yeast growth media at concentrations 0.1-1%. Our data show that low concentrations of Nonidet P-40 may significantly affect lipid biogenesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The uptake and esterification of external [4-14C]-cholesterol is strongly reduced in hem1 mutants treated with low concentrations of Nonidet P-40. Significant inhibitory effect of NP-40 on sterol uptake and esterification was evident both in non-growing and growing cells supplemented with external cholesterol. Increased levels of sterol precursors (squalene, lanosterol) in hem1 cells grown in complex medium with cholesterol indicated general interference of NP-40 with sterol biosynthesis. NP-40 in the growth medium affected also cell viability estimated as the colony forming ability. More attention should be therefore paid to possible effects of mild detergents at low concentrations generally considered to be harmless, especially in cells with disturbed lipid biogenesis.

Lipid Droplets and Peroxisomes: Key Players in Cellular Lipid Homeostasis or A Matter of Fat—Store ’em Up or Burn ’em Down

“…Notably, both enzymes acylate not only ergosterol, but also intermediates in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway: whereas the major SE synthase Are2 prefers ergosterol as the substrate, Are1 has a preference for the sterol precursor, lanosterol, giving rise to distinct SE compositions in mutants lacking either one of the enzymes (Zweytick et al 2000b; Czabany et al 2007, 2008). Are1 was also found to contribute most to SE synthesis under anaerobic conditions (Hronska et al 2004). …”

Storage lipids of yeasts: a survey of nonpolar lipid metabolism inSaccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, andYarrowia lipolytica

“…In contrast, deletion of ARE1 did not affect the overall amount of SE at all under standard growth condition (Zweytick et al, 2000b). Noteworthy, Are1p was demonstrated to contribute to SE synthesis under anaerobic conditions, when the oxygendependent ergosterol biosynthesis was disturbed (Valachovic et al, 2001;Hronsk a et al, 2004). Single deletions of ARE1 or ARE2, respectively, did not result in any growth defect .…”

“…Are1p and Are2p form SE by transferring an activated FA to the hydroxyl group at the C3-position of a sterol molecule (Fig. Noteworthy, Are1p was demonstrated to contribute to SE synthesis under anaerobic conditions, when the oxygendependent ergosterol biosynthesis was disturbed (Valachovic et al, 2001;Hronsk a et al, 2004). Although Are proteins do not show any preference for different FA, they utilize different sterols for esterification in vivo (Zweytick et al, 2000b).…”

Nonidet p-40, a novel inducer, activates cucumber disease resistance against cucumber anthracnose disease

“…Moskvina et al (1999) found that Nonidet P-40 (100 μl/l) treated Saccharomyces cerevisiae caused relocalization of the transcription factor Msn2p to the cell nucleus, a process important for stress response element-mediated gene expression. In addition, the sterol biogenesis of S. cerevisiae was disrupted by a low concentration of Nonidet P-40, indicating that changes in the plasma membrane structure caused by the presence of detergents may trigger a stress response in yeast (Hronská et al 2004). Like animals, plants are able to perceive the conserved microbial structures named microbeassociated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and endogenous elicitors, which are termed damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), both of which are able to trigger defence signalling followed by the expression of innate immunity (Boller & Felix 2009).…”

“…In addition, the sterol biogenesis of S. cerevisiae was disrupted by a low concentration of Nonidet P-40, indicating that changes in the plasma membrane structure caused by the presence of detergents may trigger a stress response in yeast (Hronská et al . 2004).…”