Specific changes in nucleotide and lipid synthesis are linked to growth defects in intramitochondrial energy-depleted yeast cells.

Energy depletion of yeast mitochondria caused immediate arrest of cell growth which could be partially reversed by enrichment of the medium. The analysis of radiolabel incorporation into nucleotides and lipids revealed significant changes in substances with possible links to mitochondrial activity (UMP, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol). Changes in sterol pattern indicated inhibition of squalene epoxidase located in endoplasmic reticulum. Although the results demonstrated severe impairment of anabolic processes in intramitochondrial energy-depleted cells, all major nucleotide and lipid species were significantly labelled in long-term experiments.