Accumulation of pyrophosphate and other energy-rich phosphorous compounds under various conditions of yeast growth.

Abstract

In the cells of hybrid yeast strain Saccharomyces N.C.Y.C. 644 SU3 (Karlsberg collection), a large amount of pyrophosphate (30-300 micro mol per g of dry weight) accumulates whatever the aeration conditions and the contest of glucose in the medium. The content of pyrophosphate is 10-100 times higher than that of ATP. At the early and mid-exponential growth phases two maxima of pyrophosphate accumulation are observable. The periods of maximal pyrophosphate accumulation in yeast coincide with those of the minimal contest of polymeric acid-soluble polyphosphates and intense budding. In the light of the data obtained, the question is discussed as to the relationship between the metabolism of pyrophosphates and acid-soluble polyphosphates in yeats.