Defect of zinc transporter ZRT1 ameliorates cadmium induced lipid accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential divalent heavy metal that enters the cells by utilizing the transport pathways of the essential metals, like zinc (Zn), in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This work focuses on Cd accumulation and its impact on deletion of Zn transporters Zrt1p and Zrt2p and lipid homeostasis. Cd exposure reduces the Zn levels in the mutant strains, and the effect was higher in zrt2Δ cells. Upon Cd exposure, the wild-type and zrt2Δ cells follow a similar pattern, but an opposite pattern was observed in zrt1Δ cells. The Cd influx and ROS levels were high in both wild-type cells and zrt2Δ cells but significantly reduced in zrt1Δ cells. Cd exposure led to accumulation of triacylglycerol and lipid droplets in wild-type cells and zrt2Δ cells but these levels were decreased in zrt1Δ cells. Hence, these studies suggest that the zrt1Δ cells provide resistance towards Cd and aid in the maintenance of lipid homeostasis in yeast cells.