Surviving the heat: heterogeneity of response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides insight into thermal damage to the membrane

Abstract

Environmental heat stress impacts on the physiology and viability of microbial cells with concomitant implications for microbial activity and diversity. Previously, it has been demonstrated that gradual heating of Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces a degree of thermal resistance, whereas a heat shock results in a high level of cell death. Here, we show that the impact of exogenous nutrients on acquisition of thermal resistance differs between strains.Using single-cell methods, we demonstrate the extent of heterogeneity of the heat-stress response within populations of yeast cells and the presence of subpopulations that are reversibly damaged by heat stress. Such cells represent potential for recovery of entire populations once stresses are removed. The results show that plasma membrane permeability and potential are key factors involved in cell survival, but thermal resistance is not related to homeoviscous adaptation of the plasma membrane. These results have implications for growth and regrowth of populations experiencing environmental heat stress and our understanding of impacts at the level of the single cell. Given the important role of microbes in biofuel production and bioremediation, a thorough understanding of the impact of stress responses of populations and individuals is highly desirable.

Oxygen availability strongly affects chronological lifespan and thermotolerance in batch cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

“…These differences in membrane composition might partially explain the observed differences in thermotolerance between aerobically and anaerobically grown S. cerevisiae cells . The hypothesis that membrane composition is a key determinant in thermotolerance of S. cerevisiae 6364 is consistent with a recent study, in which the acquisition of increased thermotolerance by laboratory-evolved strains was shown to be caused by changes in their sterol composition 65.…”

Fever as an important resource for infectious diseases research

“…oils in nature get solid when reaching a certain temperature), while higher temperatures increase lipid fluidity (53)(54)(55); and temperature also has a direct impact on the ion transport systems in frog erythrocytes (56). Because fluidization can have negative consequences for the cell at very high temperatures (57), there is a higher content of saturated fatty acids displayed in that set of stressful conditions to maintain cell function and integrity (55). Further stabilization of the membrane structure is achieved through participation of cholesterol (58).…”

Cross Talk between Nitric Oxide and Calcium-Calmodulin Regulates Ganoderic Acid Biosynthesis in Ganoderma lucidum under Heat Stress

“…KEYWORDS Ganoderma lucidum, heat stress, nitric oxide, calcium-calmodulin, ganoderic acid F or all living organisms, temperatures only moderately above the respective optimal growth temperature represent a challenging problem for survival (1). Heat stress (HS) reduces the fungal growth of Metarhizium robertsii (2) and leads to cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (3). A series of studies have focused on the damage phenom-enon caused by HS, but few studies have evaluated the mechanism of HS signal transduction (4,5).…”