Multiple Regulatory Mechanisms Maintain Zinc Homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

Zinc is an essential nutrient, yet it is toxic if it accumulates in excess amounts within cells; therefore the intracellular labile zinc content of cells is tightly controlled. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, zinc homeostasis is regulated by the controlled activity of zinc uptake transporters in the plasma membrane and transporters responsible for intracellular zinc compartmentalization. The activity of these transporters is regulated at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels in response to zinc. These different mechanisms work together to precisely balance zinc uptake and its storage and utilization.