Effects of growth state and amines on cytoplasmic and vacuolar pH, phosphate and polyphosphate levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance study.

The vacuoles of logarithmic and stationary stage cells were compared by 31P-NMR with regard to pH, orthophosphate (Pi) content and average size of polyphosphate. The vacuoles of stationary cells had lower pH, higher Pi content, and polyphosphates of longer average chain length, although total polyphosphate content was about the same as in logarithmic cells. The lower vacuolar pH in stationary cells was the major cause of a larger cytoplasmic-vacuolar pH gradient. Addition of NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4, methylamine or amantadine at pH 8 to cells in either stage caused an increase in both cytoplasmic and vacuolar pH, with little or no change in the cytoplasmic-vacuolar pH gradient. However, the administration of ammonium salts to the cells at pH 8.0 resulted in rapid hydrolysis of the intravacuolar polyphosphate to tripolyphosphate and Pi, with attendant redistribution of Pi between the vacuolar and cytoplasmic compartments.