Effects of phosphate limitation of growth on the cell-wall and lipid composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The phosphorus content of phosphate-limited Saccharomyces cerevisiae was only 71% of that of non-limited yeast. Walls prepared from phosphate-limited cells contained slightly less phosphorus than control walls. No evidence was obtained for the presence in these walls of uronic acid or succinyl residues. The carbohydrate content of walls of phosphate-limited yeast was less than that of non-limited walls, and this was reflected in a decreased glucan content. There was only a slight decrease in glucosamine content while the protein content increased. The major change in the lipid composition of phosphate-limited yeast was a decrease in both sterol esters and triacylglycerols. There was a decrease in total lipid content, but increased production of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The phosphatidylserine content was decreased. These results suggest that there are fewer intracellular low-density vesicles in phosphate-limited yeast.