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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Microarray Analysis for Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: April 7, 2011
Toxic effects caused by heavy metals in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a comparative study
Eduardo V Soares1, Kristel Hebbelinck, Helena M V M Soares
1CIEA-Departmento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, P-4200-072 Porto, Portugal. evs@isep.ipp.pt
Abstract:
The decreasing order of toxicity of select heavy metals on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in 10 mM MES (2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid) pH buffer at pH 6.0, was found to be copper, lead, and nickel. Heavy metal (200 microM) induced a decrease in the number of viable cells by about 50% in the first 5 min for copper and in 4 h for lead, while nickel was not toxic up to a 200 microM concentration over a period of 48 h. Glucose (25 mM) strongly enhanced the toxic effect of 50 microM copper but had little or no effect on the toxicity of 200 microM lead or nickel. Copper, lead, and nickel induced the leakage of UV260-absorbing compounds from cells with different kinetics. The addition of 0.5 mM calcium, before addition of 200 microM copper, showed a protective action against cell death and decreased the release of UV-absorbing compounds, while no effect was observed against lead or nickel toxic effects. Copper complexation capacities of the filtrates of cells exposed for 2 h in 200 microM copper and 24 h in 200 microM lead were 51 and 14 microM, respectively. The implication of the complexation shown by these soluble compounds in the bioavailability of heavy metals is discussed.
Insights
Copper and lead are more toxic to yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) than nickel. Calcium protects yeast from copper toxicity, while glucose enhances copper
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Yeast biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Heavy metals pose environmental risks.
- Understanding metal toxicity mechanisms is crucial.
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a model organism for toxicity studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relative toxicity of copper, lead, and nickel to Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- To investigate the influence of glucose and calcium on heavy metal toxicity.
- To analyze the cellular response to heavy metal exposure, including compound leakage and complexation.
Main Methods:
- Assessing yeast cell viability under different heavy metal concentrations and timeframes.
- Evaluating the effect of glucose and calcium on metal-induced toxicity.
- Measuring the release of UV260-absorbing compounds from yeast cells.
- Determining the copper and lead complexation capacities of cell filtrates.
Main Results:
- Toxicity order: copper > lead > nickel.
- Copper (200 microM) reduced viability by 50% in 5 min; lead (200 microM) in 4 h; nickel showed no toxicity up to 200 microM in 48 h.
- Glucose enhanced copper toxicity but not lead or nickel.
- Calcium protected against copper toxicity and compound leakage, but not lead or nickel.
- Cell filtrates showed complexation capacities of 51 microM for copper and 14 microM for lead.
Conclusions:
- Differential toxicity of copper, lead, and nickel to Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Glucose and calcium modulate heavy metal toxicity through distinct mechanisms.
- Cellular responses, including compound leakage and metal complexation, vary with metal type.
- These findings have implications for understanding heavy metal bioavailability and environmental impact.
