Isolation and identification of the cytoplasmic membrane from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis by radioactive labeling.

The cytoplasmic membrane of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis was isolated by enzymatic digestion of the yeast cell wall, followed by lysis of the protoplasts and fractionation by ultracentrifugation in a discontinuous sucrose density gradient. Location of the cytoplasmic membrane fraction on the sucrose gradient was made by labeling intact protoplasts with [G-3H]dansyl chloride, and was settled at the 50% (wt/vol) sucrose gradient (d = 1.186 g/cm3). Approximately 80% of the radioactivity was found in the membrane fraction prepared in the presence of Mg2+ ions. However, when protease inhibitors were used in the preparation step, the membrane fraction contained over 90% of the total radioactivity. The presence of Mg2+ ions during membrane isolation and purification enhanced the aggregation of membrane components but, at higher concentrations, as well as in the prolonged presence of Mg2+ ions in the membrane suspension, it caused the breakdown of membrane components. The membrane preparation contained Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase, which was insensitive to oligomycin and ouabain. The distribution of Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase in different fractions during sucrose gradient is reported.