Compatible solutes protect against chaotrope (ethanol)-induced, nonosmotic water stress.
Water stress is one of the major stresses experienced by cellular systems and can take a number of distinct forms. In response to turgor-related osmotic stress, cells produce compatible solutes that are macromolecule protectants and also counteract the outflow of water from stressed cells. In this report we show that the germination of conidia of Aspergillus nidulans, a sensitive indicator of water stress, in the presence of ethanol is correlated with the intracellular concentration of the compatible solutes glycerol and erythritol, which protect against both osmotic and nonturgor forms of water stress.
Hallsworth
John E
JE
Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Sojo University, Kumamoto City, Japan. jehalls@essex.ac.uk
Prior
Bernard A
BA
Nomura
Yoshiyuki
Y
Iwahara
Masayoshi
M
Timmis
Kenneth N
KN
D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D004896:Erythritol / Q000032:analysis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000032:analysis; D008353:Mannitol / Q000032:analysis; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
D011108:Polymers; C024617:polyol; D000431:Ethanol; D008353:Mannitol; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D005990:Glycerol; D004896:Erythritol