Induction of peroxisome proliferation and increase of catalase activity in yeast,Candida albicans, by cadmium

The effects of cadmium on the growth rate, catalase activity, and peroxisome proliferation in yeast,Candida albicans, were evaluated. The yeast growth was markedly inhibited by 1 mM cadmium at the initial hours. The toxic effect of cadmium on the cell growth persisted. The catalase activity of the cells treated with 1 mM Cd2+ first decreased, and then rose at 24 h to about 2.6 times that of the controls. The average number of peroxisomes per cell in the yeast treated with 1 mM Cd2+ was about sixfold higher than the control groups. The proliferation of peroxisomes and the increase of catalase activity following cadmium toxicity gives credence to the hypothesis that cadmium toxicity is related to its potential to induce oxidative stress in cells.