Sterol uptake by anaerobically grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y185 grown anaerobically was used to investigate the uptake and subsequent utilisation of sterol in S. cerevisiae. Results confirmed a minimum free sterol concentration below which growth was retarded. The yeast does, however, appear capable of taking up sterol well in excess of that required for growth. Evidence is presented indicating the ability of the yeast cell wall to bind cholesterol both in vivo and with isolated cell walls. There appears to be a role for low density vesicles in the movement of sterol once within the cell.