The essential gene YMR134W from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is important for appropriate mitochondrial iron utilization and the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway.

A thermosensitive strain (YMR134W(ts)) of the essential gene YMR134W presented up to 40% less ergosterol, threefold lower oxygen consumption and impaired growth on respiratory conditions. The iron content in the mitochondrial fraction of YMR134W(ts) cells was considerably low, despite these cells uptake and accumulate more iron from the culture media than wild-type cells. YMR134W(ts) cells were also more susceptible to oxidative stress. The results suggest that Ymr134wp is essential to aerobic growth due to its function in ergosterol biosynthesis, playing a role in maintaining mitochondrial and plasma membrane integrity and consequently impacting the iron homeostasis, respiratory metabolism and antioxidant response.