Utilization of exogenous pyrimidines as a source of nitrogen by cells of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis

Abstract

Uptake and intracellular transformation of pyrimidines supplying cells of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis with nitrogen have been studied. The amine nitrogen of cytosine was found to be the easiest to utilize. The presence in the medium of inorganic ammonia along with cytosine had a slight effect on cytosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.1) activity. The uracil produced entered into the nutrient medium with no fission break of the pyridmidine ring. In the absence of any other source of nitrogen, the cells of the yeast R. glutinis utilized nitrogen of the pyrimidine ring of oxypyrimidines. Catabolism of uracil followed the reductive pattern, with release of carbon dioxide; this was accompanied by synthesis of the key enzyme of pyrimidine catabolism, dihydrouracil dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.1), whose activity rose 10-fold. With thymidne as the sole source of nitrogen, the lag-phase growth of the yeast cells was maximum. Catabolism of the pyrimidine ring of thymine was possibly preceded by its transformation into uracil. With no source of nitrogen easily utilized, the uridine 5'-monophosphate content in the generally acid-soluble pool rose. Our discussion of the regulation of catabolism of exogenous pyrimidine bases by the yeast R. glutinis takes into account the fact that transformations of pyrimidine bases are determined by how easily the cells can use a particular base as a source of nitrogen.