Effect of polyoxin D on chitin synthesis and septum formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The normal sequence of cell separation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae begins with the formation of a primary septum, presumably consisting of chitin, on which secondary septa are later deposited. In the presence of the antibiotic polyoxin D, a potent inhibitor of chitin synthetase, pairs of abnormal cells of two different types were observed by phase-contrast microscopy: the "exploded pair," consisting of two lysed cells from which the cytoplasm had been extruded at the cell junction, and the "refringent pair," consisting of two highly refractile cells joined by a thin bridge. Thus, in both cases the septal region appears to be affected. Observations with the electron microscope showed that the primary chitin septum was not formed in either of these cell types, and as a consequence secondary septa of varying thicknesses were laid down in an abnormal pattern. With [(3)H]glucose as carbon source the incorporation of tritium into the chitin of abnormal cells was inhibited about 90%, whereas the labeling of mannan was normal and that of glucan somewhat reduced. The effective concentrations of polyoxin D (0.1 to 1 mg/ml) were much greater than those required to inhibit chitin synthesis in vitro. Dimethylsulfoxide and amphotericin B, both known to increase cell permeability, enhanced the action of the antibiotic.