Transport of maltose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effect of pH and potassium ions.

The transport of maltose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been generally accepted as a H+-sugar symport, with a stoichiometrical ratio of 1:1. A simultaneous exit of K+ from the cells with the initial uptake of maltose has been reported previously. By using a K+-selective electrode and radioactive maltose, we were able to measure the exit of 1 mol of K+/mol of maltose taken up by the cells in the first 10-15 s. This stoichiometrical ratio is pH-independent. So, uptake of protons in a non-buffered cell suspension or exit of K+ in a buffered one can be used to measure initial rates of maltose uptake. We have used a K+ electrode and a pH electrode to study the effect of external pH and K+ respectively on the kinetic parameters of maltose transport. The following results were obtained: the apparent half-saturation constant for maltose (Km) increased from 5.2 mM at pH 5.8 to 38.0 mM at pH 7.8; the same increase in pH halved the apparent maximum uptake rate (Vmax); K+ had an inhibitory effect, decreasing Vmax. and increasing Km at pH values above 5; K+ had a stimulating effect at pH values below or equal to 4. Under physiological conditions, i.e. lower pH outside, neutral pH inside and much higher [K+] inside the cell, and assuming symmetry of the system, a higher affinity for maltose is to be expected in the outer face of the plasma membrane. This behaviour of the system could explain, by itself, the maintenance of the high concentration of free maltose inside the cell (necessary because of the low affinity of the maltase), without significant back transport to the outside.