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. 1966 May;14(3):397–402. doi: 10.1128/am.14.3.397-402.1966

Steroid Mechanisms Affecting Yeast Permeability and Viability1

Rodney F Smith 1,2, Donald E Shay 1
PMCID: PMC546726  PMID: 16349662

Abstract

A synthetic aza-cholestane amine was found to be rapidly lethal to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lethal action was prevented by pretreating cells with 10-3m uranyl nitrate. Sublethal concentrations of the steroid prevented the uptake of glucose and alanine. This demonstrated one means by which the steroid affected cell permeability, limiting the growth of the organism. Decreases in viability were related to increases in 260 and 280 mμ absorbing materials. Uranyl protection of viability was found to be related to cellular retention of the ultraviolet-absorbing materials. The steroid, dequadin acetate, and cetyl pyridinium chloride were comparable in lethal action and in causing the leakage of cytoplasmic constituents. Loss of viability and cytoplasmic excretion were detected within minutes after cells were exposed to the steroid. The rate or degree of metabolism of glucose by resting cells did not appear to influence steroid action or the sensitivity of the cells to the steroid.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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