Role for trehalase during germination of spores in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Spores from Schizosaccharomyces pombe contain neutral and acid trehalases. When spores from strains disrupted for ntp1(+), which encodes neutral trehalase, were induced to germinate, the onset of the process was markedly delayed as compared to wild-type spores. Further outgrowth was also reduced. Dormant spores lacking neutral trehalase contained twice the amount of trehalose present in wild-type spores and mobilised the intracellular pool of trehalose at a slower rate during germination. Inhibition by phloridzin of the sporulation-specific acid trehalase in ntp1-disrupted spores arrested germination completely while prompting no effect on wild-type spores. These results suggest that the two trehalase enzymes may support the utilisation of trehalose during germination but neutral trehalase is required for a more rapid and efficient process.