Disruption of SPT23 results in increased heat sensitivity due to plasma membrane damage in Pichia pastoris.

The ability to adapt to environmental changes is a necessary strategy for cell survival. Spt23 is responsible for regulation of Δ-9 desaturase expression in Pichia pastoris. Disruption of SPT23 leads to a remarkable decrease in cellular unsaturated fatty acids. In this study, we found that deletion of SPT23 resulted in growth defects under high temperature culture conditions and heat treatment induced the expression of SPT23. By measuring expression changes of heat shock proteins, protein levels and cellular localization of Hsf1, it was revealed that the sensitivity of spt23Δ to high temperature was independent of the heat shock response. Addition of the osmotic stabilizer sorbitol can restore the growth defects of spt23Δ under heat conditions. In addition, loss of SPT23 led to increased plasma membrane permeability, decreased plasma membrane integrity, depolarization, ergosterol synthesis defects and cell wall component disorder, which suggested that the sensitivity to heat treatment in spt23Δ was due to plasma membrane damage. Taken together, our results give new insights into the relationship between Spt23 and high temperature environmental stress.