Manganese-induced cellular disturbance in the baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae with putative implications in neuronal dysfunction

Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 25;9(1):6563. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42907-2.

Abstract

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element, but in humans, chronic and/or acute exposure to this metal can lead to neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinsonism and Parkinson's Disease by unclear mechanisms. To better understand the effects that exposure to Mn2+ exert on eukaryotic cell biology, we exposed a non-essential deletion library of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a sub-inhibitory concentration of Mn2+ followed by targeted functional analyses of the positive hits. This screen produced a set of 43 sensitive deletion mutants that were enriched for genes associated with protein biosynthesis. Our follow-up investigations demonstrated that Mn reduced total rRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner and decreased expression of a β-galactosidase reporter gene. This was subsequently supported by analysis of ribosome profiles that suggested Mn-induced toxicity was associated with a reduction in formation of active ribosomes on the mRNAs. Altogether, these findings contribute to the current understanding of the mechanism of Mn-triggered cytotoxicity. Lastly, using the Comparative Toxicogenomic Database, we revealed that Mn shared certain similarities in toxicological mechanisms with neurodegenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Ontology
  • Humans
  • Manganese / pharmacology*
  • Manganese / toxicity
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / chemically induced
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Ribosomal / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • Manganese