Sphingolipid levels crucially modulate lateral microdomain organization of plasma membrane in living yeast. Issue 3 (12th December 2013) - Vecer, Jaroslav
Abstract : We report sphingolipid‐related reorganization of gel‐like microdomains in the plasma membrane of living S accharomyces cerevisiae using trans ‐Parinaric acid (t‐PnA) and 1, 6‐diphenyl‐1, 3, 5‐hexatriene (DPH). Compared to control, the gel‐like domains were significantly reduced in the membrane of a sphingolipid‐deficient lcb 1 ‐ 100 mutant. The same reduction resulted from sphingolipid depletion by myriocin. The phenotype could be reverted when a myriocin‐induced block in sphingolipid biosynthesis was bypassed by exogenous dihydrosphingosine. Lipid order of less‐ordered membrane regions decreased with sphingolipid depletion as well, as documented by DPH fluorescence anisotropy. The data indicate that organization of lateral microdomains is an essential physiological role of these structural lipids. Abstract : Sphingolipids control lateral membrane organization in living yeast. Decrease in plasma membrane sphingolipids causes reduction of highly‐ordered microdomains. Sphingolipid‐induced decrease in gel‐like microdomains is reversible.