Investigating the role of GVP36 on cell proliferation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in response to thermal stress

Abstract

The Gvp36 protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a known BAR-containing protein that localizes to the transmembrane and is associated with vesicles of the Golgi body. Studies employing yeast mutants with the Gvp36 knockout have provided insights into its functions, including its role in maintaining cell wall stability through regulating actin cytoskeleton polarization, mediating endocytosis, and sphingolipid homeostasis. Accounting for gvp36Δ’s sensitivity to elevated temperatures and its conferred growth defects, this study aims to elucidate the role of GVP36 in mediating the presence of actin in the cells under thermal stress. After incubation of the yeast at various temperatures – 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C – a consistent parallel between actin presence and greater cell proliferation in the gvp36Δ mutant compared to the wildtype was observed at all temperatures. This study provides further understanding of the general mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and the process’ adaptations to abiotic stress, with implications to broader areas such as health and disease, agriculture, and sustainability.