Genome wide screen for mutations mediates sensitive to sodium dodecyl sulfate in budding yeast

Background: Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is one of the most widely used anionic alkyl sulfate surfactants. Toxicological information on SDS is accumulating, however, mechanisms of SDS toxicity regulation remain poorly understood. In this study, the relationship between the SDS-sensitive mutants and their intracellular ROS levels has been investigated. Results : Through a genome-scale screen, we have identified 108 yeast single-gene deletion mutants that are sensitive to 0.03% SDS. These genes were predominantly related to the cellular processes of metabolism, cell cycle and DNA processing, cellular transport, transport facilities and transport routes, transcription and the protein with binding function or cofactor requirement (structural or catalytic). We further measured the intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels of 108 SDS-sensitive mutants treated with 0.015% SDS. The results showed that 85 SDS-sensitive mutants accumulated significantly higher intracellular ROS levels under SDS stress than the wild-type cells. Moreover, SDS could generate oxidative damage and up-regulate several antioxidant defenses genes, and some of the SDS-sensitive genes were involved in this process. Conclusion: This study provides insight on yeast genes involved in SDS tolerance and the elevated intracellular ROS caused by SDS stress. Our findings provide a basis to understand molecular mechanisms underlying the detoxification of SDS by yeast cells.