Electron microscopy of the K2 killer effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae T206 on a mesophilic wine yeast

A mesophilic wine yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CSIR Y217 K ^– R ^– was subjected to the K₂ killer effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae T206 K ⁺ R ⁺ in a liquid grape medium. The lethal effect of the K₂ mycoviral toxin was confirmed by methylene blue staining. Scanning electron microscopy of cells from challenge experiments revealed rippled cell surfaces, accompanied by cracks and pores, while those unaffected by the toxin, as in the control experiments, showed a smooth surface. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the toxin damaged the cell wall structure and perturbed cytoplasmic membranes to a limited extent.     

Industrial yeast strain improvement: construction of a highly flocculent yeast with a killer character by protoplast fusion

Conditions were optimized for rapid release and improved regeneration of protoplasts ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3458. Rapid protoplast release was also obtained with representatives of several other yeast genera under the modified conditions of treatment. The application of the procedure in construction of a highly flocculentSaccharomyces cerevisiae with a killer character is described. Fusion was effected between UV-killed protoplasts ofS. cerevisiae NCIM 3578 with a killer character and live protoplasts of the highly flocculentS. cerevisiae NCIM 3528 in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. Fusants were selected using benomyl resistance as marker, the killer toxin producer rather than the highly flocculent yeast being resistant to the fungicide at a concentration of 100 g ml^–1. Fusants were also characterized by their DNA contents, capacity for ethanolic fermentation of molasses sugar and levels of invertase, alcohol dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase activities.     

The use of killer sensitivity patterns for biotyping yeast strains: the state of the art, potentialities and limitations

In recent years molecular techniques have been the most useful tools for the unequivocal identification of undetermined strains at the species level. In many instances, however, a further discrimination at the strain level (biotyping) is required, such as during epidemiological investigations, in which the distribution of pathogenic microorganisms is studied, and for patent protection purposes. Although molecular methods are routinely used also for yeast biotyping, several nonmolecular techniques have been proposed. One of these, the determination of the killer sensitivity pattern (KSP) towards a panel of selected killer toxins has proven to be a good auxiliary method. Despite the plethora of studies published, the potential and limitations of the determination of KSPs have never been critically evaluated. In this review the use of this nonmolecular technique as a biotyping tool is discussed and compared with some currently used DNA-based procedures. In addition, methodological, mechanistic and ecological implications are evaluated.     

Development of an industrial ethanol-producing yeast strain for efficient utilization of cellobiose

The BGL1 gene, encoding β-glucosidase in Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, was intracellular, secreted or cell-wall associated expressed in an industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The obtained recombinant strains were studied under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The results indicated that both the wild type and recombinant strain expressing intracellular β-glucosidase cannot grow in medium using cellobiose as sole carbon source. As for the recombinant EB1 expressing secreted enzyme and WB1 expressing cell-wall associated enzyme, the maximum specific growth rates (μ_max) could reach 0.03 and 0.05 h⁻¹ under anaerobic conditions, respectively. Meanwhile, the surface-engineered S. cerevisiae utilized 5.2 g cellobiose L⁻¹ and produced 2.3 g ethanol L⁻¹ in 48 h, while S. cerevisiae secreting β-glucosidase into culture broth used 3.6 g cellobiose L⁻¹ and produced 1.5 g ethanol L⁻¹ over the same period, but no-full depletion of cellobiose were observed for both the used recombinant strains. The results suggest that S. cerevisiae used in industrial ethanol production is deficient in cellobiose transporter. However, when β-glucoside permease and β-glucosidase were co-expressed in this strain, it could uptake cellobiose and showed higher growth rate (0.11 h⁻¹) on cellobiose.     

Influence of killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on wine fermentation

The effect of killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth of sensitive strains during must fermentation was studied by using a new method to monitor yeast populations. The capability of killer yeast strains to eliminate sensitive strains depends on the initial proportion of killer yeasts, the susceptibility of sensitive strains, and the treatment of the must. In sterile filtered must, an initial proportion of 2-6% of killer yeasts was responsible for protracted fermentation and suppression of isogenic sensitive strains. A more variable initial proportion was needed to get the same effect with non-isogenic strains. The suspended solids that remain in the must after cold-settling decreased killer toxin effect. The addition of bentonite to the must avoided protracted fermentation and the suppression of sensitive strains; however, the addition of yeast dietary nutrients with yeast cell walls did not, although it decreased fermentation lag.     

Effect of low-temperature fermentation on yeast nitrogen metabolism

The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of low-temperature wine fermentation on nitrogen consumption and nitrogen regulation. Synthetic grape must was fermented at 25 and 13°C. Low-temperature decreased both the fermentation and the growth rates. Yeast cells growing at low-temperature consumed less nitrogen than at 25°C. Specifically, cells at 13°C consumed less ammonium and glutamine, and more tryptophan. Low-temperature seemed to relax the nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) as deduced from the gene expression of ammonium and amino acid permeases (MEP2 and GAP1) and the uptake of some amino acids subjected to NCR (i.e. arginine and glutamine). Low-temperature influences the quantity and the quality of yeast nitrogen requirements. Nitrogen-deficient grape musts and low temperature are two of the main prevalent causes of sluggish fermentations and, therefore, the effects of both growth conditions on yeast metabolism are of considerable interest for wine making.     

The effect of ethanol on cell wall antigens ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae and specific isolation of high ethanol producing strains of this yeast,making use of a serological technique

Generally, natural isolates of high ethanol producingSaccharomyces cerevisiae obtained by screening are used in alcoholic industries. The methods involved in their isolation and identification are elaborate. Antigenic analysis using antibodies raised against wholeSaccharomyces cells indicated species specificity of cell wall surface thermostable antigens. By affinity purification, the specific antibodies could be obtained and used for specific isolation ofS. cerevisiae. Antigenic studies using antibodies raised against isolated cell walls of fermentatively grownS. cerevisiae indicated the occurrence of thermolabile antigens common toSaccharomyces species. Higher concentrations of these antigens could be detected in thoseS. cerevisiae that had the ability for high ethanol production. The concentrations of these cell wall common antigens increased with increasing culture age and ethanol accumulation in culture broths. In younger yeast cells, the concentration could be increased by growing the cells in a medium containing added ethanol. Using dilutions of cross absorbed antibody specific for common antigens and Ouchterlony test, high ethanol producingS. cerevisiae could be identified.     

Kinetic studies of killer toxin K1 binding to yeast cells indicate two receptor populations

A recently described new method for determination of killer toxin activity was used for kinetic measurenments of K1 toxin binding. The cells of the killer sensitive strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae S6 were shown to carry two classes of toxin binding sites differing widely in their half-saturation constants and maximum binding rates. The low-affinity and high-velocity binding component (K _T1=2.6x10⁹ L.U./ml, V _max1=0.19 s^-1) probably reflects diffusion-limited binding to cell wall receptors; the high-affinity and low-velocity component (K _T2=3.2x10⁷ L.U./ml, V _max2=0.03 s^-1) presumably indicates the binding of the toxin to plasma membrane receptors. Adsorption of most of the killer toxin K1 to the surface of sensitive cells occured within 1 min and was virtually complete within 5 min. The amount of toxin that saturated practically all cell receptors was about 600 lethal units (L.U.) per cell of S. cerevisiae S6.     

A marine killer yeast against the pathogenic yeast strain in crab (Portunus trituberculatus) and an optimization of the toxin production

A pathogenic yeast strain WCY which could cause milky disease in Portunus trituberculatus was identified to be Metschnikowia bicuspidate according to the results of routine yeast identification and 18S rDNA and ITS sequences. After screening of more than 300 yeast strains from different sources in marine environments, it was found that strain YF07b had the highest ability to produce killer toxin against the pathogenic yeast. Strain YF07b was identified to be Pichia anomala according to the results of routine yeast identification and 18S rDNA and ITS sequences. The optimal conditions for killer toxin production by strain YF07b were the production medium with 2.0% NaCl, pH 4.5, cultivation temperature of 20 degrees C and the optimal conditions for action of the crude killer toxin against the pathogenic yeast were the assay medium with 6.0% NaCl, pH 4.5 and temperature 15 degrees C.     

Functional features of the C-terminal region of yeast ribosomal protein L5

The aim of this study was to analyze the functional importance of the C-terminus of the essential yeast ribosomal protein L5 (YrpL5). Previous studies have indicated that the C-terminal region of YrpL5 forms an alpha-helix with a positively charged surface that is involved in protein-5S rRNA interaction. Formation of an YrpL5.5S rRNA complex is a prerequisite for nuclear import of YrpL5. Here we have tested the importance of the alpha-helix and the positively charged surface for YrpL5 function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using site directed mutagenesis in combination with functional complementation. Alterations in the sequence forming the putative alpha-helix affected the functional capacity of YrpL5. However, the effect did not correlate with a decreased ability of the protein to bind to 5S rRNA as all rpL5 mutants tested were imported to the nucleus whether or not the alpha-helix or the positively charged surface were intact. The alterations introduced in the C-terminal sequence affected the growth rate of cells expressing mutant but functional forms of YrpL5. The reduced growth rate was correlated with a reduced ribosomal content per cell indicating that the alterations introduced in the C-terminus interfered with ribosome assembly.     

Molecular biology of translation in yeast

The combination of genetic, molecular and biochemical approaches have made the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae a convenient organism to study translation. The sequence similarity of translation factors from yeast and other organisms suggests a high degree of conservation in the translational machineries. This view is also strengthened by a functional analogy of some proteins implicated in translation. Beautiful genetic experiments have confirmed existing models and added new insights in the mechanism of translation. This review summarizes recent experiments using yeast as a model system for the analysis of this complex process.     

Al-toxicity studies in yeast using gallium as an aluminum analogue

Aluminum (Al) is normally present in soils as the insoluble, harmless Al2O3. The highly toxic Al3+ and AlOH2+ monomeric cations are formed in acid soils but there is little consensus on the physiological basis of Al toxicity in plants. A major factor that has retarded progress in understanding aluminum toxicity in vascular plants is the lack of a convenient radioisotope for Al. Yeast and vascular plants share similar membrane transport mechanisms and so yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) provides a convenient model system for studies of Al-toxicity. Al and gallium (Ga) have closely similar toxic effects on the yeast cells (Ki approximately 100 mmol m-3) and Ga3+ and Al3+, respond similarly to pH and are both reversible by a chelation agent (citric acid). We tested the feasibility of using 67Ga radioisotope as a tracer for Al transport with the view of using it to investigate the mechanism of Al uptake and toxicity in plants. The clinically available 67Ga citrate is unsuitable to use as an aluminum analogue because the chelated form is not toxic. Arrangements need to be made for it to be supplied as 67GaCl3. Large amounts of 67Ga rapidly bind to the cell wall of yeasts with a t 1/2 of approximately 1 s. There is a very slow net uptake of 67Ga into a second phase, presumably the cytoplasm. Uptake into the slow phase has a Vmax of only approximately 16 +/- 4 pmol m(-2) s(-1) (n = 16). The Km of 67Ga uptake could not be precisely determined but is below 100 mmol m(-3) (45 +/- 42 mmol m(-3), n = 16).     

Genetic diversity of wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains in an experimental winery from Galicia (NW Spain)

Genetic diversity of wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains involved in spontaneous fermentations was studied by analysis of mitochondrial DNA restriction patterns. Yeasts were isolated at different stages of fermentations with must from three different white grapevine varieties, Albariño, Godello and Treixadura, which are autochthonous from Galicia. Nineteen different patterns out of a total of 446 strains analysed were identified, but only a few of them appeared at high frequency and therefore were able to lead the fermentation process. Some strains were common to all fermentations; however, most of them were a minority being only found at low frequency for one or two specific grape varieties. The dominant strain was different for each variety except in one case, suggesting that some strains are better adapted to certain must conditions.     

Differential toxinogenesis in the genusPichia detected by an anti-yeast killer toxin monoclonal antibody

The differential toxinogenesis of 25 isolates belonging to species of the potential yeast killer genusPichia that were previously classified in the genusHansenula was comparatively demonstrated by two serologic techniques (indirect immunofluorescence and double immunodiffusion) by using a monoclonal antibody against a yeast killer toxin produced by a selected strain ofPichia anomala (UCSC 25F). The killer phenotypes of thePichia isolates were evaluated by their ability to kill each other. The results, although of insufficient taxonomic value for a reliable separation of either species or genera, attest to the genomic heterogeneity for the killer character in the genusPichia as well as the presumptive dual killer/sensitive identity for each single isolate.     

Isolation and identification of killer yeasts from Agave sap (aguamiel) and pulque

Wild killer yeasts have been identified as inhibitory to strains used as starters in the production of alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine; therefore, killer or killer-resistant strains have been sought for use in alcoholic fermentations. In the current paper a total of 16 strains belonging to six species were isolated. From two samples of Agave sap (aguamiel) the following yeast strains were isolated: Candida lusitaneae (1), Kluyveromyces marxianus var. bulgaricus (2), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (capensis) (1). Additionally, in seven samples of pulque (the fermented product), the species C. valida (six strains), S. cerevisiae (chevalieri) (4), S. cerevisiae (capensis) (1), and K. marxianus var. lactis (1) were found. The killer strains were C. valida and K. marxianus var. lactis from pulque and K. marxianus var. bulgaricus from aguamiel. One strain of S. cerevisiae (chevalieri) isolated from pulque which did not show killer activity was, on the other hand, resistant to other killer strains and it had a remarkable ethanol tolerance, suggesting that this strain could be used for alcohol production.     

Selection in yeast II: The fitness distribution of new mutations inSaccharomyces cerevisiae and its use in a computer simulation

Summary The fitness distribution of new mutations inSaccharomyces cerevisiae strain Montrachet was determined for cells on agar irradiated for four periods of time with ultraviolet light. The fitness distributions were obtained by converting a large number of colony diameters into relative fitnesses. The distributions were then used to perform a computer simulation with the purpose of predicting the potential of a stock culture to increase in general fitness through selection, given a frequency and magnitude of mutations.     

Comparative assay of amyloid and prion contents in yeast cells

Amyloid contents were quantitatively assayed in crude yeast lysates treated with thioflavin T that specifically stained amyloid fibrils. We demonstrated that guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) treatment and overexpression of Hsp104p chaperone resulted in the elimination of the [PSI ⁺] factor and that the stable decline in amyloid contents followed from the reduced fluorescence intensity (IF) of thioflavin T. Overexpression of the SUP35 gene coding the protein prionizable to [PSI ⁺] results in the generation of [PSI ⁺] clones with increased thioflavin T IF. Transmission of [PSI ⁺] factor by cytoduction in crossings of recipients with low IF was also accompanied by stable IF enhancement in cytoductants, indicating enriched amyloid contents. Thus, in model experiments, modifying the quantity of [PSI ⁺] factor, a yeast prion amyloid, the change in thioflavin T IF corresponds to the expected shift in amyloid contents, the IF shift behaving as a cytoplasm hereditary determinant. It is concluded that thioflavin T IF allows for the quantitative estimation of amyloid contents in cells. The stable mitotic IF shift induced by agents affecting the prion composition permits the quantitative evaluation of prion contribution into amyloid pool. It is possible to assume that the monitoring of thiophlavin T IF shifts under the exposure of agents affecting prion pattern may be helpful to disclose previously unknown prions in yeast strains.