In vivo activation by ethanol of plasma membrane ATPase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ethanol, in concentrations that affect growth and fermentation rates (3 to 10% [vol/vol]), activated in vivo the plasma membrane ATPase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The maximal value for this activated enzyme in cells grown with 6 to 8% (vol/vol) ethanol was three times higher than the basal level (in cells grown in the absence of ethanol). The Km values for ATP, the pH profiles, and the sensitivities to orthovanadate of the activated and the basal plasma membrane ATPases were virtually identical. A near-equivalent activation was also observed when cells grown in the absence of ethanol were incubated for 15 min in the growth medium with ethanol. The activated state was preserved after the extraction from the cells of the membrane fraction, and cycloheximide appeared to prevent this in vivo activation. After ethanol removal, the rapid in vivo reversion of ATPase activation was observed. While inducing the in vivo activation of plasma membrane ATPase, concentrations of ethanol equal to and greater than 3% (vol/vol) also inhibited this enzyme in vitro. The possible role of the in vivo activation of the plasma membrane proton-pumping ATPase in the development of ethanol tolerance by this fermenting yeast was discussed.