High environmental iron concentrations stimulate adhesion and invasive growth of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
We have found that a high iron concentration in solid complete cultivation medium potentiates cell-cell and cell-surface adhesion of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Spotted giant colonies grown on iron-rich media were found to be more compact and more resistant to washing than those grown on plates with a standard iron content. Furthermore, we have documented that excess environmental iron stimulates the invasive growth of S. pombe (and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Three-dimensional, branched, washing-resistant structures composed mostly of elongated, but separate fission yeast cells, were formed within the solid agar medium. The degree of both adhesion and invasion displayed a specific, iron concentration-dependent response. Our results suggest a novel link between iron availability and the intensively studied and important fungal virulence factors, adhesion and invasion.
Prevorovský
Martin
M
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
Stanurová
Jana
J
Půta
Frantisek
F
Folk
Petr
P
D000362:Agar; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D012568:Schizosaccharomyces / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology
D003470:Culture Media; D000362:Agar; D007501:Iron