Probing glycolytic and membrane potential oscillations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have investigated glycolytic oscillations under semi-anaerobic conditions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by means of NADH fluorescence, measurements of intracellular glucose concentration, and mitochondrial membrane potential. The glucose concentration was measured using an optical nanosensor, while mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using the fluorescent dye DiOC(2)(3).

The results show that, as opposed to NADH and other intermediates in glycolysis, intracellular glucose is not oscillating. Furthermore, oscillations in NADH and membrane potential are inhibited by the ATP/ADP antiporter inhibitor atractyloside and high concentrations of the ATPase inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, suggesting that there is a strong coupling between oscillations in mitochondrial membrane potential and oscillations in NADH mediated by the ATP/ADP antiporter and possibly also other respiratory components.