PSK1 coordinates glucose metabolism and utilization and regulates energy-metabolism oscillation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Energy-metabolism oscillations (EMO) are ultradian biological rhythms observed in in aerobic chemostat cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. EMO regulates energy metabolism such as glucose, carbohydrate storage, O-2 uptake, and CO2 production. PSK1 is a nutrient responsive protein kinase involved in regulation of glucose metabolism, sensory response to light, oxygen, and redox state. The aim of this investigation was to assess the function of PSK1 in regulation of EMO. The mRNA levels of PSK1 fluctuated in concert with EMO, and deletion of PSK1 resulted in unstable EMO with disappearance of the fluctuations and reduced amplitude, compared with the wild type. Furthermore, the mutant PSK1 Delta showed downregulation of the synthesis and breakdown of glycogen with resultant decrease in glucose concentrations. The redox state represented by NADH also decreased in PSK1 Delta compared with the wild type. These data suggest that PSK1 plays an important role in the regulation of energy metabolism and stabilizes ultradian biological rhythms. These results enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of biorhythms in the budding yeast.