Effect of sulphanilamide on formation of sterols in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Neurospora crassa

Abstract

The coenzyme A content of S.cerevisiae cells grown in the presence of sulfanilamide was significantly greater than that of normal cells. The total ergosterol content of the yeast cells showed a progressive rise with increasing degree of sulfanilamide toxicity. A similar enhanced capacity for sterol formation in the presence of sulfanilamide was observed in growing cultures of Neurospora crassa. It is suggested that these changes are the result of an adaptive response on the part of the organisms to overcome the toxicity of the drug.