Increased stress parameter synthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae after treatment with 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal

The metabolism of glutathione (GSH), a marker of oxidative stress and trehalose, a rather general physiological stress marker, was examined in exponentially growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells after treatment with 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). GSH was entirely depleted within a 2 h incubation with 250 mu M HME. After removal of the aldehyde it was replenished by de novo synthesis leading to an overshooting GSH level, which later decreased to the basal level. In addition, trehalose was elevated 4-fold in HNE-treated yeast cells compared to control cells, We conclude that increased GSH levels upon HNE treatment are a general phenomenon of eukaryotic cells to ensure protection and survival during further harsh conditions, Furthermore, we have discovered a new indication for the stress marker trehalose in S, cevevisiae. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.