嗜杀酵母毒素蛋白活性的平板检测

本文介绍一种在平板上直接检测嗜杀酵母产生的毒素蛋白活性的方法,此方法操作简便,可分析不同条件下毒素蛋白对敏感酵母细胞的嗜杀作用.     

酿酒酵母两种不同嗜杀菌株的比较研究

以酿酒酵母两种不同类型的嗜杀菌株SK4（K1型）和ERRI（K2型）为材料,分析了不同嗜杀酵母的嗜杀特性,两株嗜杀酵母具有相互杀死作用,其嗜杀活性与菌体生长有关。SK4和ERRI的嗜杀质粒的比较表明：M1－dsRNA质粒和M2-dsRNA质粒分子量分别为1．7kb和1．5kb,两株菌的L－dsRNA质粒均为4．0kb。用高温和紫外线处理嗜杀酵母,嗜杀活性随之消失,消除菌中的M－dsRNA质粒也相应消失,嗜杀活性的消除率随菌株和消除剂的不同而变化。实验证明两株菌产生的毒素蛋白的最适嗜杀作用条件不同,最适pH和温度分别为4．8、16℃和4．0、22℃,但两种毒素蛋白均对在对数生长期的敏感细胞作用最显著。     

以酵母嗜杀系统为基础的抗病毒药物筛选模型的建立

根据嗜杀酵母T158c/S14a中L-A病毒-1移码效率改变影响M1病毒的存活,导致K1毒素减少,在低pH的美蓝平板上用杯碟法通过抑菌圈的大小检测酵母K1毒素的嗜杀活性,建立了一个以酵母嗜杀系统为基础的抗病毒药物筛选模型。研究了杯碟法检测酵母毒素嗜杀活性的各种条件。对不同pH和温度下酵母的嗜杀活性进行了研究,确定了模型用于筛选的最适pH范围为4.3~4.7,最适温度范围为20~22℃。运用该模型研究了几种中药对嗜杀活性的抑制作用,发现了金银花和升麻具有一定的抗病毒作用。该模型为抗病毒药物的高通量初筛奠定了基础。     

嗜杀酵母KillerYeast的杀伤性质和酵母的病毒假说

嗜杀酵母Killer Yeasf,杀伤酵母或逆戟酵母,是指能释放毒素杀死其同类的酵母。具有杀伤性质的真菌有酵母属(Sac-charomyces),黑粉菌属(Usfflago),吲酵母属(Torulopsfs),德巴里酵母属(Debaromyces),汉逊酵母属(Han-     

酿酒酵母两种不同嗜杀菌的比较研究

以酿酒酵母两种不同类型的嗜杀菌株ＳＫ４（Ｋ１型）和ＥＲＲ１（Ｋ２型）为材料,分析了不同嗜杀酵母的嗜杀特性,两株嗜杀酵母具有相互杀死作用,其嗜杀活性与菌体生长有关。ＳＫ４和ＥＲＲ１的嗜杀质粒的比较表明：Ｍ１－ｄｓＲＮＡ质粒和Ｍ２－ｄｓＲＮＡ质粒分子量分别为１．７ｋｂ和１．５ｋｂ,两株菌的Ｌ－ｄｓＲＮＡ质粒均为４．０ｋｂ。用高温和紫外线处理嗜杀酵母,嗜杀活性随之消失,消除菌中的Ｍ－ｄｓＲＮＡ质粒也相应     

利用细胞质导入法选育嗜杀啤酒酵母

利用细胞质导入(Cytoduction)法中的核融合缺陷细胞融合技术,在对酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)D518菌株不做任何遗传标记,将嗜杀酵母5045菌株的嗜杀质粒转移到受体菌D518中,获得了具有两亲株优良性状的融合子KD102菌株。对融合子分析表明:融合子遗传性状稳定,不仅含有供体菌5045的嗜杀质粒,而且受体菌D518的核基因被原封不动地保留下来,为异质体细胞(Heteroplasmon)。将融合子KD102菌株用于小型、中型及生产性酿酒试验,结果表明,具有与亲株D518同样的酿造特性。在发酵过程中,能抑制野生酵母污染,净化发酵体系。对于保证啤酒纯种酿造及提高成品酒的生物稳定性具有明显效果。     

利用细胞质导人法选育嗜杀啤酒酵母

利用细胞质导入(Cytoduction)法中的核融合缺陷细胞融合技术,在对酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)D518菌株不做任何遗传标记,将嗜杀酵母5045菌株的嗜杀质粒转移到受体菌D518中,获得了具有两亲株优良性状的融合子KDl02菌株。对融合于分析表明：融合子遗传性状稳定,不仅含有供体菌5045的嗜杀质粒,而且受体菌D518的核基因被原封不动地保留下来,为异质体细胞(Heteroplasmon)。将融合子KDl02菌株用于小型、中型及生产性酿酒试验。结果表明．具有与亲株D518同样的酿造特性。在发酵过程中．能抑制野生酵母污染,净化发酵体系。对于保证啤酒纯种酿造及提高成品酒的生物稳定性具有明显效果。     

一种检测酵母嗜杀活性的简便方法及其应用

本文以嗜杀酵母ＥＲＲＩ为材料建立了一种双层平板单菌落嗜杀活性检测法。此法与常规营养缺陷型筛选方法相结合,可直接筛选出具有嗜杀活性的酵母营养缺陷型菌株ＭＫ２—３：Ｋ＋Ｒ＋Ｌｅｕ－,并成功地用于检测理化因子对嗜杀质粒的消除作用。进一步采用此法在直接混合培养中做出了嗜杀酵母对敏感酵母作用的动力学曲线。结果表明,敏感酵母活菌数在混合培养的对数生长后期开始急剧下降。     

电融合构建嗜杀啤酒酵母及其发酵性能的研究

以ＭＫ２－３：Ｋ＾＋Ｒ＾＋ｌｅｕ＾－ｐ＾＋（ｎ）为供体菌,ＡＳ２４２０－１;Ｋ＾－Ｐ＾－ｌｅｕ＾＋ｐ＾０（２ｎ）为受体菌,通过电融合技术构建一批嗜杀啤酒酵母。其中４株融合子具有较高的嗜杀活性,对这４株融合子的遗传性状、ＤＮＡ含主细胞大小、形态、嗜杀质粒ｄｓ－ＲＮＡ提取及电泳等研究表明,这４株菌具有双亲的互补性。对其中ＭＡＲ１的进一步实验表明,ＭＡＲ１的某些发酵性能接近甚至优于亲株ＡＳ２４２０－１,     

嗜铬粒蛋白N端片段基因在枯草杆菌中的表达及表达产物的活性分析

嗜铬粒蛋白(CGA)是存在于分泌细胞的由439个氨基酸组成的可溶性蛋白。近年的研究发现CGA的N端具有抗血管收缩、抗细菌和抗真菌的功能。为了寻找高效低毒的抗真菌片段,利用PCR技术扩增了编码人嗜铬粒蛋白N端1-76位氨基酸（CGA1-76）的DNA片段,并将之克隆进本实验构建的枯草杆菌诱导型表达载体pSBPTQ,获得含CGA1-76基因的重组质粒pSVTQ,转化蛋白酶三缺陷的枯草杆菌DB403。经蔗糖诱导后,CGA1-76片段在枯草杆菌DB403（pSVTQ）中获得表达,产物分泌到细胞外,分泌量约为5mg/L,占总分泌蛋白的133% 。测试了表达产物对几种丝状真菌和酵母的抑制作用,发现在4μmol/L的浓度下,枯草杆菌表达的重组CGA1-76对镰刀菌、链格孢霉及白假丝酵母有明显的抑制作用。     

Biology of killer yeasts

Killer yeasts secrete proteinaceous killer toxins lethal to susceptible yeast strains. These toxins have no activity against microorganisms other than yeasts, and the killer strains are insensitive to their own toxins. Killer toxins differ between species or strains, showing diverse characteristics in terms of structural genes, molecular size, mature structure and immunity. The mechanisms of recognizing and killing sensitive cells differ for each toxin. Killer yeasts and their toxins have many potential applications in environmental, medical and industrial biotechnology. They are also suitable to study the mechanisms of protein processing and secretion, and toxin interaction with sensitive cells. This review focuses on the biological diversity of the killer toxins described up to now and their potential biotechnological applications. Electronic Publication     

Yeast killer toxins,molecular mechanisms of their action and their applications

Killer toxins secreted by some yeast strains are the proteins that kill sensitive cells of the same or related yeast genera. In recent years, many new yeast species have been found to be able to produce killer toxins against the pathogenic yeasts, especially Candida albicans. Some of the killer toxins have been purified and characterized, and the genes encoding the killer toxins have been cloned and characterized. Many new targets including different components of cell wall, plasma membrane, tRNA, DNA and others in the sensitive cells for the killer toxin action have been identified so that the new molecular mechanisms of action have been elucidated. However, it is still unknown how some of the newly discovered killer toxins kill the sensitive cells. Studies on the killer phenomenon in yeasts have provided valuable insights into a number of fundamental aspects of eukaryotic cell biology and interactions of different eukaryotic cells. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of their action will be helpful to develop the strategies to fight more and more harmful yeasts.     

Killer activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains: partial characterization and strategies to improve the biocontrol efficacy in winemaking

Killer yeasts are considered potential biocontrol agents to avoid or reduce wine spoilage by undesirable species. In this study two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (Cf8 and M12) producing killer toxin were partially characterized and new strategies to improve their activity in winemaking were evaluated. Killer toxins were characterized by biochemical tests and growth inhibition of sensitive yeasts. Also genes encoding killer toxin were detected in the chromosomes of both strains by PCR. Both toxins showed optimal activity and production at conditions used during the wine-making process (pH 3.5 and temperatures of 15–25 °C). In addition, production of both toxins was higher when a nitrogen source was added. To improve killer activity different strategies of inoculation were studied, with the sequential inoculation of killer strains the best combination to control the growth of undesired yeasts. Sequential inoculation of Cf8–M12 showed a 45 % increase of killer activity on sensitive S. cerevisiae and spoilage yeasts. In the presence of ethanol (5–12 %) and SO₂ (50 mg/L) the killer activity of both toxins was increased, especially for toxin Cf8. Characteristics of both killer strains support their future application as starter cultures and biocontrol agents to produce wines of controlled quality.     

Isolation and characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants with a different degree of resistance to killer toxins K1 and K2

Killer toxin K1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae kills sensitive cells of the same species by disturbing the ion gradient across the plasma membrane after binding to the receptor at cell wall beta-1,6-glucan. Killer protein K2 is assumed to act by a similar mechanism. To identify the putative plasma membrane receptors for both toxins we mutagenized three sensitive S. cerevisiae strains and searched for clones with killer-resistant spheroplasts. The well diffusion assay identified three phenotypically different groups of clones: clones resistant simultaneously to both toxins, clones with lowered sensitivity to only K1 toxin and those with strongly lowered sensitivity to K2 and partially lowered sensitivity to K1 toxin. These phenotypes are controlled by recessive mutations that belong to at least four different complementation groups. This indicates certain differences at the level of interaction of K1 and K2 toxin with sensitive cells.     

The ecological role of killer yeasts in natural communities of yeasts

The killer phenomenon of yeasts was investigated in naturally occurring yeast communities. Yeast species from communities associated with the decaying stems and fruits of cactus and the slime fluxes of trees were studied for production of killer toxins and sensitivity to killer toxins produced by other yeasts. Yeasts found in decaying fruits showed the highest incidence of killing activity (30/112), while yeasts isolated from cactus necroses and tree fluxes showed lower activity (70/699 and 11/140, respectively). Cross-reaction studies indicated that few killer-sensitive interactions occur within the same habitat at a particular time and locality, but that killer-sensitive reactions occur more frequently among yeasts from different localities and habitats. The conditions that should be optimal for killer activity were found in fruits and young rots of Opuntia cladodes where the pH is low. The fruit habitat appears to favor the establishment of killer species. Killer toxin may affect the natural distribution of the killer yeast Pichia kluyveri and the sensitive yeast Cryptococcus cereanus. Their distributions indicate that the toxin produced by P. kluyveri limits the occurrence of Cr. cereanus in fruit and Opuntia pads. In general most communities have only one killer species. Sensitive strains are more widespread than killer strains and few species appear to be immune to all toxins. Genetic study of the killer yeast P. kluyveri indicates that the mode of inheritance of killer toxin production is nuclear and not cytoplasmic as is found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis.     

Viral induced yeast apoptosis

In an analogous system to mammals, induction of an apoptotic cell death programme (PCD) in yeast is not only restricted to various exogenous factors and stimuli, but can also be triggered by viral killer toxins and viral pathogens. In yeast, toxin secreting killer strains are frequently infected with double-stranded (ds)RNA viruses that are responsible for killer phenotype expression and toxin secretion in the infected host. In most cases, the viral toxins are either pore-forming proteins (such as K1, K2, and zygocin) that kill non-infected and sensitive yeast cells by disrupting cytoplasmic membrane function, or protein toxins (such as K28) that act in the nucleus by blocking DNA synthesis and subsequently causing a G1/S cell cycle arrest. Interestingly, while all these virus toxins cause necrotic cell death at high concentration, they trigger caspase- and ROS-mediated apoptosis at low-to-moderate concentration, indicating that even low toxin doses are deadly by triggering PCD in enemy cells. Remarkably, viral toxins are not solely responsible for cell death induction in vivo, as killer viruses themselves were shown to trigger apoptosis in non-infected yeast. Thus, as killer virus-infected and toxin secreting yeasts are effectively protected and immune to their own toxin, killer yeasts bear the intrinsic potential to dominate over time in their natural habitat.     

The Species-Specific Acquisition and Diversification of a K1-like Family of Killer Toxins in Budding Yeasts of the Saccharomycotina

Killer toxins are extracellular antifungal proteins that are produced by a wide variety of fungi, including Saccharomyces yeasts. Although many Saccharomyces killer toxins have been previously identified, their evolutionary origins remain uncertain given that many of these genes have been mobilized by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses. A survey of yeasts from the Saccharomyces genus has identified a novel killer toxin with a unique spectrum of activity produced by Saccharomyces paradoxus. The expression of this killer toxin is associated with the presence of a dsRNA totivirus and a satellite dsRNA. Genetic sequencing of the satellite dsRNA confirmed that it encodes a killer toxin with homology to the canonical ionophoric K1 toxin from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and has been named K1-like (K1L). Genomic homologs of K1L were identified in six non-Saccharomyces yeast species of the Saccharomycotina subphylum, predominantly in subtelomeric regions of the genome. When ectopically expressed in S. cerevisiae from cloned cDNAs, both K1L and its homologs can inhibit the growth of competing yeast species, confirming the discovery of a family of biologically active K1-like killer toxins. The sporadic distribution of these genes supports their acquisition by horizontal gene transfer followed by diversification. The phylogenetic relationship between K1L and its genomic homologs suggests a common ancestry and gene flow via dsRNAs and DNAs across taxonomic divisions. This appears to enable the acquisition of a diverse arsenal of killer toxins by different yeast species for potential use in niche competition.     

A molecular target for viral killer toxin: TOK1 potassium channels.

Killer strains of S. cerevisiae harbor double-stranded RNA viruses and secrete protein toxins that kill virus-free cells. The K1 killer toxin acts on sensitive yeast cells to perturb potassium homeostasis and cause cell death. Here, the toxin is shown to activate the plasma membrane potassium channel of S. cerevisiae, TOK1. Genetic deletion of TOK1 confers toxin resistance; overexpression increases susceptibility. Cells expressing TOK1 exhibit toxin-induced potassium flux; those without the gene do not. K1 toxin acts in the absence of other viral or yeast products: toxin synthesized from a cDNA increases open probability of single TOK1 channels (via reversible destabilization of closed states) whether channels are studied in yeast cells or X. laevis oocytes.     

Activity of different ''killer'' yeasts on strains of yeast species undesirable in the food industry

Killer strains of the genera Saccharomyces, Hansenula and Kluyveromyces were tested for killing activity against yeasts that cause trouble in the food industry (in the genera Zygosaccharomyces, Kloeckera, Saccharomycodes and Schizosaccharomyces). Saccharomyces strains killed only Zygosaccharomyces rouxii strains, while non-Saccharomyces strains showed a wider anti-yeast spectrum. The Kluyveromyces phaffii killer strain was of particular interest because of its killer action against Kloeckera apiculata, Saccharomycodes ludwigii and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii.     

The costs and benefits of killer toxin production by the yeast Pichia kluyveri

Numerous yeast species in many genera are able to produce and excrete extracellular toxic proteins (mycocins) that can kill other specific sensitive yeasts. Natural distributions of killer yeasts suggest that they may be important in maintaining community composition and provide a benefit to the toxin producing cells. The fact that not all yeasts are killers and that polymorphisms exist within some killer species suggests there may be a cost associated with killer toxin production. This study focuses on the costs and benefits associated with toxin production by the yeast Pichia kluyveri. Strains differing in their ability to kill were obtained by tetrad dissection. One parent strain produced spores that exhibited a trade-off between killing ability and intrinsic growth rate. A killer clone from this strain was able to maintain a higher proportion of cells than a non-killer when grown with the same sensitive yeast under laboratory-simulated natural conditions. On the other hand, when grown with a yeast not sensitive to Pichia kluyveri toxin, the non-killer maintained a higher proportion of the total community than did the killer clone. The data support the hypothesis that there are both costs and benefits to producing killer toxin, and based on this, selection may favor different phenotypes in different conditions.