The effects of vanadate on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on non-fermentable medium was more sensitive to inhibition by vanadate than growth on fermentable medium. The frequency of petite mutants increased in cultures grown for 18 hours in fermentable medium containing vanadate. However, oxygen uptake markedly increased in yeast cultures grown in the presence of vanadate, a similar effect being produced by phosphate. It was also found that oligomycin toxicity was relieved by vanadate. These results suggest that vanadate may interact with the mitochondria of S. cerevisiae.