S. cerevisiae Outer and Inner Membranes are Compromised upon Benzyl Alcohol Treatment

Abstract

Although there are innovations in the treatment of diseases caused by fungi and medicines with multiple targets have been developed, the search for a drug with a broad spectrum and without any side effects continues to date. It is generally accepted that determining the cellular target responsible for the toxic effect opens up new possibilities for the development of new drugs. Especially the effects of antifungal agents on the surface components of the fungal cell, on cell wall synthesis and the identification of the target site are crucial in antifungal drug development. Thus studies on the fungal cell membranes in connection with the antifungal agents, aim to develop new strategies for the therapy of fungal infections. Antifungal agents targeting fungal cell wall and cell membrane components have increased in importance in clinical studies. In this study, understanding the mechanism of action of benzyl alcohol, a known membrane fluidizer, and the determination of its cellular targets are aimed. We have shown that in the presence of sorbitol, the osmotic stabilizer, benzyl alcohol becomes less effective against yeast cell. Moreover, benzyl alcohol disrupts cell membrane, causing leakage of ions to the extracellular medium. Nuclear membrane is distorted upon treatment of yeast cells with benzyl alcohol. Thus, we conclude that both outer and inner yeast cell membranes are compromised by the action of benzyl alcohol.