[Influence of manganese on iron accumulation and flavinogenesis in yeast Debaryomyces hansenii]

In response to MnCl2 introduction the yeast Debaryomyces hansenii shows the increase of intracellular iron content and riboflavin biosynthesis level. Under iron deficiency the yeast cells sensitivity to manganese ions increases in spite of redundant synthesis of riboflavin. High concentration of iron in the culture results in the lower toxicity of Mn2+. Iron accumulation favours the cell resistance to manganese. Manganese causes the redundant synthesis of riboflavin as well as iron accumulation in streptonigrin-resistant mutants with a lowered iron content in cells. The Mn(2+)-resistant strains are phenotypically similar to the previously described Rib80(-)-mutants of D. hansenii with high iron content and riboflavin biosynthesis level. This suggests that riboflavin redundant synthesis and iron accumulation in the yeast cells are regulated by a common Mn(2+)-depending factor. A new method for isolation of the Rib80(-)-mutants is described. The method is based on the positive selection of manganese-resistant clones.