Modulation of Congo-red-induced aberrations in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by the general stress response protein Hsp12p

Previous studies have shown that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae HSP12, which codes for the small cell wall heat shock protein Hsp12p, was induced upon exposure to cell-wall-damaging agents such as Congo red. Here, we demonstrate that Hsp12p decreases the interaction between Congo red and chitin. A Deltahsp12 mutant strain displayed decreased viability, increased aggregation and sedimentation, as well as an altered morphology when grown in the presence of Congo red dye. The presence of Hsp12p was also necessary for the Congo-red-mediated invasion of agar plates.