Relationship between cell viability and organelle damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under high hydrostatic pressure

Using GFP-tagged Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and Golgi apparatus were visualized to examine the relationship between organelle damage and cell inactivation induced by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). Cell inactivation was strongly dependent on growth phase, whereas organelle damage occurred largely independently of growth phase. Among the organelles examined, only Golgi apparatus damage showed a clear association with cell inactivation in the stationary phase. These findings suggest that pressure-induced disruption of Golgi-associated structures and/or protein localization, rather than nuclear or ER damage, may be closely associated with HHP-induced yeast inactivation, possibly through impairment of intracellular secretion and protein trafficking. This study provides new insights into organelle-specific responses to HHP treatment and contributes to a better understanding of microbial inactivation mechanisms under high-pressure conditions.