Some characteristics of tetraphenylphosphonium uptake into Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The characteristics of the uptake of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) into Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been investigated in order to establish whether this compound can be used to monitor the membrane potential of his organism. Unlike dibenzyldimethylammonium, TPP+ is not translocated via the thiamine transport system, nor via another inducible translocation mechanism. On changing the experimental conditions the equilibrium potential of TPP+ varies according to expected changes of the membrane potential. TPP+ accumulation is higher in metabolizing cells than in non-metabolizing cells. In addition, decreasing the medium pH, addition of the proton conductor 2,4-dinitrophenol and addition of K+ all cause an apparent depolarization, whereas Ca2+ apparently hyperpolarizes the cell membrane. It is concluded that TPP+, if applied at low concentrations, can be used to measure the membrane potential of S. cerevisiae.