Induction of the synthesis of an additional family of long-chain dolichols in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effect of starvation and ageing.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain W303 synthesizes in the early logarithmic phase of growth dolichols of 14-18 isoprene residues. The analysis of the polyisoprenoids present in the stationary phase revealed an additional family which proved to be also dolichols but of 19-24 isoprene residues, constituting 39% of the total dolichols. The transfer of early logarithmic phase cells to a starvation medium lacking glucose or nitrogen resulted in the synthesis of the longer chain dolichols. The additional family of dolichols represented 13.8% and 10.3% of total dolichols in the glucose and nitrogen deficient media, respectively. The level of dolichols in yeast cells increased with the age of the cultures. Since both families of dolichols are present in stationary phase cells we postulate that the longer chain dolichols may be responsible for the physico-chemical changes in cellular membranes allowing yeast cells to adapt to nutrient deficient conditions to maintain long-term viability.