Variation in yeast mitochondrial activity associated with asci.
An increase in mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) and mitochondrially produced 3-hydroxy (3-OH) oxylipins was experienced in asci of the nonfermentative yeasts Galactomyces reessii and Lipomyces starkeyi and the fermentative yeasts Pichia farinosa and Schizosaccharomyces octosporus. Strikingly, asci of Zygosaccharomyces bailii showed no increase in mitochondrial activity (DeltaPsim and oxylipin production). As expected, oxygen deprivation only inhibited ascus formation in those yeasts with increased ascus mitochondrial activity. We conclude that ascus formation in yeasts is not always dependent on mitochondrial activity. In this case, fermentation may provide enough energy for ascus formation in Z. bailii.
Swart
Chantel W
CW
UNESCO-MIRCEN: Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
van Wyk
Pieter W J
PW
Pohl
Carolina H
CH
Kock
Johan L F
JL
D005285:Fermentation; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000378:metabolism; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D054883:Oxylipins; D010100:Oxygen