biostudies-literatureWang TNational Natural Science Foundation of China576https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8945482biostudies-literatureUnknown11(3)Elemental sulfur is a common fungicide, but its inhibition mechanism is unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of elemental sulfur on the single-celled fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae and showed that the inhibition was due to its function as a strong oxidant. It rapidly entered S. cerevisiae. Inside the cytoplasm, it reacted with glutathione to generate glutathione persulfide that then reacted with another glutathione to produce H2S and glutathione disulfide. H2S reversibly inhibited the oxygen consumption by the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and the accumulation of glutathione disulfide caused disulfide stress and increased reactive oxygen species in S. cerevisiae. Elemental sulfur inhibited the growth of S. cerevisiae; however, it did not kill the yeast for up to 2 h exposure. The combined action of elemental sulfur and hosts' immune responses may lead to the demise of fungal pathogens.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)Elemental Sulfur Inhibits Yeast Growth via Producing Toxic Sulfide and Causing Disulfide Stress.PMC894548291951202, 31870085, and 31961133015Liu HXia YYang YXun LLiu MWang TfalseElemental Sulfur Inhibits Yeast Growth via Producing Toxic Sulfide and Causing Disulfide Stress.Elemental sulfur is a common fungicide, but its inhibition mechanism is unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of elemental sulfur on the single-celled fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae and showed that the inhibition was due to its function as a strong oxidant. It rapidly entered S. cerevisiae. Inside the cytoplasm, it reacted with glutathione to generate glutathione persulfide that then reacted with another glutathione to produce H2S and glutathione disulfide. H2S reversibly inhibited the oxygen consumption by the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and the accumulation of glutathione disulfide caused disulfide stress and increased reactive oxygen species in S. cerevisiae. Elemental sulfur inhibited the growth of S. cerevisiae; however, it did not kill the yeast for up to 2 h exposure. The combined action of elemental sulfur and hosts' immune responses may lead to the demise of fungal pathogens.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2025-04-19T00:51:48.854Z2025-04-07T11:43:18.456ZS-EPMC89454823532622610.3390/antiox11030576