Effect of calcium ions on growth and metabolism of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

Addition of calcium ions increased 2- to 3-fold the growth of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 2I in a minimal glucose-containing medium. The minimal concentration enhancing growth was 25 to 50 mug/ml CaCl2. Other divalent and trivalent cations tested, except for strontium ions, did not duplicate the calcium effect. Actively growing and dividing cells took up 45Ca2+, while resting yeast cells did not. The radiocalcium taken up was incorporated into newly synthesized structural material, presumably into the membrane protein.