嗜杀酵母的生物学功能及其应用

嗜杀酵母能够分泌毒素蛋白,杀死敏感酵母。嗜杀酵母对自身分泌的嗜杀毒素具有免疫力。嗜杀酵母的嗜杀特性与两种双链线状RNA(dsRNA)有关,即编码产生毒素蛋白的M-dsRNA和编码自身和M-dsRNA外壳蛋白的L-dsRNA。嗜杀毒素破坏细胞跨膜化学质子梯度,造成ATP和钾离子泄漏,导致细胞死亡。应用嗜杀酵母可避免野生型酵母污染,净化发酵体系,改善发酵产物品质;嗜杀毒素也可作为抵制病原酵母和类酵母微生物的抗真菌剂。

Biological Properties and Utilization from Killer Yeasts

Killer yeasts secrete protein toxins which are lethal to sensitive strains but are immune to their own toxins. Generally, the killer phenotype has been linked to the presence of a double stranded RNA (dsRNA). M-dsRNA encodes the killer toxin synthesis, and L-dsRNA encodes the major virus-like particle capsid protein. Killer toxin acts on sensitive cells by disrupting the normal state of electrochemical ion gradients, and induced a leakage of ATP and potassium ions, which leads to cells death. The use of industrial killer strains as starters can prevent industrial fermentation from contaminating wild yeasts .The most fascinating applications is probably the possible use of selected killer yeasts as sources of novel antimycotic agents, active against pathogenic yeasts and yeast-like organisms.