Open AccessCytotoxicity of dihydropteroate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Author(s) -
Bayly Ann M,
Macreadie Ian G
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2002.tb11304.x
Subject(s) - dihydropteroate synthase , saccharomyces cerevisiae , mutant , biochemistry , biology , dihydrofolate reductase , biosynthesis , cytotoxicity , enzyme , yeast , gene , pyrimethamine , in vitro , plasmodium falciparum , malaria , immunology
Microbes and plants synthesise folate using a unique biosynthetic pathway that is absent in animals. The end product, tetrahydrofolate, is utilised by all forms of life. In this study, an intermediate in this synthesis, dihydropteroic acid, was found to be toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Further tests were performed on mutants deficient in folate synthesis. One mutant specifically lacked dihydropteroate synthase and the second lacked dihydrofolate synthase. Dihydropteroic acid itself appeared to be toxic since both of these mutants were also inhibited. These results suggest novel ways in which antifolate therapy may be developed.