The effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on yeast cell membranes

The influence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on three yeast species was examined. EDTA causes leakage of cell constituents from protoplasts and whole cells of one of them whereas the other ones were resistant. Comparison of the membrane compositions suggested, that the relative amount of phospholipids as compared to total lipid determines for an important part the accessibility of the complexing agent to the divalent cations of the membrane.