pH homeostasis in yeast; the phosphate perspective

Recent research further clarified the molecular mechanisms that link nutrient signaling and pH homeostasis with the regulation of growth and survival of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The central nutrient signaling kinases PKA, TORC1, and Sch9 are intimately associated to pH homeostasis, presumably allowing them to concert far-reaching phenotypical repercussions of nutritional cues. To exemplify such repercussions, we briefly describe consequences for phosphate uptake and signaling and outline interactions between phosphate homeostasis and the players involved in intra- and extracellular pH control. Inorganic phosphate uptake, its subcellular distribution, and its conversion into polyphosphates are dependent on the proton gradients created over different membranes. Conversely, polyphosphate metabolism appears to contribute in determining the intracellular pH. Additionally, inositol pyrophosphates are emerging as potent determinants of growth potential, in this way providing feedback from phosphate metabolism onto the central nutrient signaling kinases. All these data point towards the importance of phosphate metabolism in the reciprocal regulation of nutrient signaling and pH homeostasis.