Vacuolar H -ATPase is involved in preventing heavy metal-induced oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, vacuolar H -ATPase (V-ATPase) involved in the regulation of intracellular pH homeostasis has been shown to be important for tolerances to cadmium, cobalt and nickel. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the protective role of V-ATPase against these metals remains unclear. In this study, we show that cadmium, cobalt and nickel disturbed intracellular pH balance by triggering cytosolic acidification and vacuolar alkalinization, likely via their membrane permeabilizing effects.