Evidence for Sulfite Proton Symport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The kinetics of sulfite uptake were examined in a wild-type laboratory strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to determine if carrier-mediated sulfite uptake involved a proton symport, as previous studies on sulfite uptake have suggested both an active process and facilitated diffusion. Accumulation of intracellular sulfite was initially rapid and linear up to 50 sec. Uptake was saturable at final concentrations equal to or greater than 3 mM sulfite, and increased 2-fold in the presence of 2% glucose. Uptake was significantly reduced in cells pretreated with 100-500 $\mu$M carbonyl cyanide mchlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) or 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), both of which dissipate proton gradients. Uptake was also significantly inhibited in the presence of 1 mM arsenate, an inhibitor of ATP synthesis. Extracellular alkalization was observed in cells incubated with 1-2 mM sulfite in a weak tartrate buffer at pH 3.5 and 4.5. These findings suggest that the bisulfite ion, $HSO_3^-$, an anionic form of sulfite, is taken up by a carrier-mediated proton symport. A met16 sull sul2 mutant, impaired in both sulfite formation and sulfate uptake, was found able to grow on a medium with sulfite as the sole Sulfur source, indicating that the sulfate transporters Sul1p and Sul2p are not required for sulfite uptake.