Vacuolar H +-ATPase, but not mitochondrial F 1F 0-ATPase, is required for aluminum resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

It was recently shown that vacuolar ATPase and mitochondrial F 1F 0-ATPase activities are induced by aluminum (Al) in an Al-resistant cultivar of wheat, suggesting that induction of these enzymes could be an adaptive trait involved in Al resistance. To test this hypothesis, we used the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model system. In yeast, unlike wheat, the activity, transcript and protein levels of mitochondrial F 1F 0-ATPase, but not vacuolar ATPase, are induced by Al, while plasma membrane P-ATPase activity is inhibited. However, yeast vacuolar ATPase mutant strains are hypersensitive to Al, while F 1F 0-ATPase mutant strains exhibit wild-type growth. These data suggest that vacuolar ATPase activity is involved in Al resistance, with ATP required for this activity supplied by mitochondrial F 1F 0-ATPase or fermentation.