Effects of insulin and glucose tolerance factor on glucose uptake by yeast cells

Addition of mammalian insulin or glucose tolerance factor (GTF), to Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 7752, increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake by yeast cells. The enhancement was dose-dependent, and also dependent on preincubation of the cells with glucose, prior to the addition of the hormone. The effect of insulin on glucose uptake by the yeast was very similar to the effect of GTF on these cells. Insulin and GTF increased also the growth of yeast cells, while denatured insulin or glucagon failed to act. Our findings support the view that both insulin and GTF might regulate carbohydrate metabolism in microorganisms.