Protein-facilitated transport of hydrophobic molecules across the yeast plasma membrane

In yeasts, the plasma membrane forms the barrier that protects the cell from the outside world, but also gathers and keeps valuable compounds inside. Although it is often suggested that hydrophobic molecules surpass this checkpoint by simple diffusion, it now becomes evident that protein-facilitated transport mechanisms allow for selective import and export of triglycerides, fatty acids, alkanes, and sterols in yeasts. During biomass production, hydrophobic carbon sources enter and exit the cell efficiently in a strictly regulated manner that helps avoid toxicity. Furthermore, various molecules, such as yeast pheromones, secondary metabolites and xenobiotics, are exported to ensure cell-cell communication, or increase chances of survival. This review summarizes the current knowledge on how hydrophobic compounds interact with protein-facilitated transport systems on the plasma membrane and how selective import and export across the yeast plasma membrane is achieved. Both the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as unconventional yeasts are discussed.