EFFECTS OF INSULIN AND GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE FACTOR (GTF) ON GROWTH OF SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE

Addition of mammalian insulin to Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhanced the growth of the cells in several glucose concentrations. The enhancement of growth was dependent on insulin concentrations. Morphological changes were also observed depending on the presence of insulin: the cells were almost round, whereas elongated forms appeared under depletion of the hormone. The effect of insulin was very similar to the increase in yeast growth observed by the addition of GTF (glucose tolerance factor) to the medium. Our findings support the view of a common mechanism regulating metabolic and growth processes in lower and higher organisms.