Characterizing the effect of nitrosative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Nitrosative stress has various pathophysiological implications. We here present a detailed characterization on the effect of nitrosative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild-type (Y190) and its isogenic flavohemoglobin mutant (Δyhb1) strain grown in presence of non fermentable carbon source. On addition of sub-toxic dose of nitrosating agent both the strains showed microbiostatic effect. Cellular respiration was found to be significantly affected in both the strains in presence sodium nitroprusside. Although there was no alteration in mitochondrial permeability potential changes and reactive oxygen species production in both the strains but the cellular redox status is differentially regulated in Δyhb1 strain both in cytosol and in mitochondria indicating cellular glutathione is the major player in absence of flavohemoglobin. We also found important role(s) of various redox active enzymes like glutathione reductase and catalase in protection against nitrosative stress. This is the first report of its kind where the effect of nitrosative stress has been evaluated in S. cerevisiae cytosol as well as in mitochondria under respiratory proficient conditions.