New insights into the Ca2+-ATPases that contribute to cadmium tolerance in yeast

► Inactivation of the PMR1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae delayed initial cadmium uptake. ► Cells lacking functional Pmr1p increased basal expression of PMC1 and YCF1 genes. ► Cadmium treatment altered the expression of yeast internal Calcium transporters. ► PMC1 expression is induced substantially by cadmium in wild-type yeast cells. Cadmium (Cd2+) is a toxic heavy metal which triggers several toxic effects in eukaryotes, including neurotoxicity and impaired calcium metabolism. In the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the best characterized pathway for Cd2+ detoxification involves conjugation with glutathione (GSH) and subsequent transport to vacuoles by Ycf1p, an ATPase homologous to human MRP1 (Multidrug resistance associated protein 1). However, Cd2+ tolerance also can be mediated by Pmr1p, a Ca2+ pump located in the Golgi membrane, possibly through to the secretory pathway. Herein, we showed that inactivation of the PMR1 gene, alone or simultaneously with YCF1, delayed initial Cd2+ capture compared to wild-type (WT) cells. In addition, Cd2+ treatment altered the expression profile of yeast internal Ca2+ transporters; specifically, PMC1 gene expression is induced substantially by the metal in WT cells, and this induction is stronger in mutants lacking YCF1. Taken together, these results indicate that, in addition to Pmr1p, the vacuolar Ca2+-ATPase Pmc1p also helps yeast cells cope with Cd2+ toxicity. We propose a model where Pmc1p and Pmr1p Ca2+-ATPase function in cooperation with Ycf1p to promote Cd2+ detoxification.