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Protein‐facilitated transport of hydrophobic molecules across the yeast plasma membrane
Author(s) -
Claus Silke,
Jezierska Sylwia,
Van Bogaert Inge N. A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.13469
Subject(s) - yeast , saccharomyces cerevisiae , membrane , facilitated diffusion , chemistry , organism , eukaryotic cell , biochemistry , cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cell membrane , biology , paleontology
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.