title: Functional study of the Nha1p C-terminus: involvement in cell response to changes in external osmolarity.
abstract: Saccharomyces cerevisiae uses different mechanisms to adapt to changes in environmental osmolarity. Upon hyperosmotic shock, cells first mobilize a rapid rescue system that prevents excessive loss of ions and water; then in the adaptation period they accumulate a compatible solute (glycerol). When subjected to hypoosmotic shock, they rapidly release intracellular stocks of glycerol to reduce intracellular osmolarity and prevent bursting. The plasma membrane Nha1 alkali metal cation/H+ antiporter is not important in helping the cells to survive a sudden drop in external osmolarity, but is involved in the cell response to hyperosmotic shock. For this role, its long hydrophilic C-terminus is indispensable. The capacity of the Nha1 antiporter to transport potassium is regulated by Hog1 kinase. Upon sorbitol-mediated stress, the Nha1p potassium export activity decreases in order to maintain a higher intracellular concentration of solutes. The C-terminal-less Nha1 version is not inactivated and its potassium efflux activity renders cells very sensitive to hyperosmotic shock. Taken together, our results suggest an important role of Nha1p and its C-terminus in the immediate response to hyperosmotic shock as part of the rapid rescue mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences CR, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kinclova-Zimmermannova
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sychrova
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / Q000502:physiology*; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C000631624:NHA1 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; C088589:HOG1 protein, S cerevisiae; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases