The putative ceramide-conjugation protein Cwh43 regulates G0 quiescence, nutrient metabolism and lipid homeostasis in fission yeast

Cellular nutrient states control whether cells proliferate, or whether they enter or exit quiescence. Here, we report characterizations of fission yeast temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of the evolutionarily conserved transmembrane protein Cwh43, and explore its relevance to utilization of glucose, nitrogen source and lipids. GFP-tagged Cwh43 localizes at ER associated with the nuclear envelope and the plasma membrane, as in budding yeast. We found that mutants failed to divide in low glucose and lost viability during quiescence under nitrogen starvation. In mutants, comprehensive metabolome analysis demonstrated dramatic changes in marker metabolites that altered under low glucose and/or nitrogen starvation, although cells apparently consumed glucose in the culture medium. Furthermore, we found that mutant cells had elevated levels of triacylglycerols (TGs) and coenzyme A, and that they accumulated lipid droplets. Notably, TG biosynthesis was required to maintain cell division in the mutant. Thus, Cwh43 affects utilization of glucose and nitrogen sources, as well as storage lipid metabolism. These results may fit a notion developed in budding yeast stating that Cwh43 conjugates ceramide to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins and maintains integrity of membrane organization.