Mutation of the protein-O-mannosyltransferase enhances secretion of the human urokinase-type plasminogen activator in Hansenula polymorpha

Human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is poorly secreted and aggregates in the endoplasmic reticulum of yeast cells due to inefficient folding. A screen for Hansenula polymorpha mutants with improved uPA secretion revealed a gene encoding a homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein-O-mannosyltransferase Pmt1p. Expression of the H. polymorpha PMT1 gene (HpPMT1) abolished temperature sensitivity of the S. cerevisiae pmt1 pmt2 double mutant. As in S. cerevisiae, inactivation of the HpPMT1 gene affected electrophoretic mobility of the O-glycosylated protein, extracellular chitinase. In contrast to S. cerevisiae, disruption of HpPMT1 alone caused temperature sensitivity. Inactivation of the HpPMT1 gene decreased intracellular aggregation of uPA, suggesting that enhanced secretion of uPA was due to improvement of its folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Unlike most of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane proteins, HpPmt1p possesses the C-terminal KDEL retention signal.     

Cloning and characterization of the lactate-specific inducible gene KlCYB2, encoding the cytochrome b(2) of Kluyveromyces lactis

In yeast the utilization of lactate requires two enzymes, the D and L-lactate ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase (D and L-LCR), which stereospecifically oxidize D- and L-lactate to pyruvate. These enzymes are nuclearly encoded and localized in mitochondria. In the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis, a mutant devoid of D- and L-LCR activities and unable to grow on racemic lactate was isolated. Transformation of the mutant with a K. lactis genomic library allowed the isolation of the KlCYB2 gene, restoring the growth on lactate and the L-LCR activity. The KlCYB2 gene and its flanking regions were sequenced (Accession No. AJ243324; EMBL/GenBank databases). The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous to the corresponding Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula anomala protein sequences previously characterized. The homology is missed in the N-terminal region, corresponding to the presequence cleaved during import into mitochondria. Analysis of KlCYB2 gene expression indicated that, in contrast to S. cerevisiae, the major regulatory feature is induction by lactate.     

THE CONTENT OF SOME ORGANIC ACIDS IN BEER AND OTHER FERMENTED MEDIA

The acid content of a range of ales and lagers has been measured for some organic acids related to the Krebs cycle, and found to vary widely. Acetate, pyruvate, lactate, succinate, pyroglutamate, malate and citrate were present in all cases and α-ketoglutarate was usually detected. α-Hydroxyglutarate was recognized in a number of beers. The effect of the acids on the pH of beer is assessed. The strain of yeast which is used markedly influences the levels of all acids except pyroglutamate and the conditions of yeast propagation have a substantial influence on the extent of acid accumulation. During the fermentation of wort and synthetic media the extent of organic acid excretion is proportional to the extent of fermentation, but the nature of the acids which are excreted varies during the fermentation period. In synthetic media, nitrogen source is shown to have a substantial effect on the accumulation of organic acid. Pyruvate and acetate levels vary inversely towards the end of fermentation, suggesting that yeast converts pyruvate to acetate.     

Expression of the AZR1 gene (ORF YGR224w), encoding a plasma membrane transporter of the major facilitator superfamily, is required for adaptation to acetic acid and resistance to azoles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this work, we report results on the functional analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ORF YGR224w, predicted to code for an integral membrane protein, with 14 potential transmembrane segments, belonging to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of transporters which are required for multiple-drug resistance (MDR). This MFS-MDR homologue is required for yeast adaptation to high stress imposed by low-chain organic acids, in particular by acetic acid, and for resistance to azoles, especially to ketoconazole and fluconazole; the encoding gene was thus named the AZR1 gene. These conclusions were based on the higher susceptibility to these compounds of an azr1Delta deletion mutant strain compared with the wild-type and on the increased resistance of both azr1Delta and wild-type strains upon increased expression of the AZR1 gene from a centromeric plasmid clone. AZR1 gene expression reduces the duration of acetic acid-induced latency, although the growth kinetics of adapted cells under acetic acid stress is apparently independent of AZR1 expression level. Fluorescence microscopy observation of the distribution of the Azr1-GFP fusion protein in yeast living cells indicated that Azr1 is a plasma membrane protein. Studies carried out to gain some understanding of how this plasma membrane putative transporter facilitates yeast adaptation to acetic acid did not implicate Azr1p in the alteration of acetic acid accumulation into the cell through the active efflux of acetate.     

Moderately lipophilic carboxylate compounds are the selective inducers of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pdr12p ATP-binding cassette transporter

Saccharomyces cerevisiae displays very strong induction of a single ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, Pdr12p, when stressed with certain weak organic acids. This is a plasma membrane pump catalysing active efflux of the organic acid anion from the cell. Pdr12p action probably allows S. cerevisiae to maintain lower intracellular levels of several weak organic acid preservatives than would be expected on the basis of the free equilibration of the acid across the cell membrane. This in turn facilitates growth in the presence of these preservatives and therefore yeast spoilage of food materials. Pdr12p appears to confer resistance to those carboxylic acids that, to a reasonable degree, partition into both the lipid bilayer and aqueous phases. Its gene (PDR12) is strongly induced by sorbate, benzoate and certain other moderately lipophilic carboxylate compounds, but not by organic alcohols or high levels of acetate. PDR12 induction reflects the operation of a previously uncharacterized S. cerevisiae stress response, for which the induction signal is probably a high intracellular pool of the organic acid anion.     

构建ADH2和THI3基因敲除酿酒酵母用于降低糯米酒中高级醇的研究

为了降低糯米酒高级醇含量,以酿酒酵母（Saccharomyces cerevisiae）菌株XF1的单倍体XF1a7和XF1α6为原始菌,采用Cre/loxP同源重组系统构建乙醇脱氢酶基因ADH2和类丙酮酸脱羧酶基因THI3缺失的单倍体酵母,再通过单倍体的杂交构建ADH2单基因缺失双倍体酵母XF1-A和ADH2与THI3双基因缺失的双倍体酵母XF1-AT。结果表明,重组菌XF1-A、XF1-AT与原始菌XF1的生长性能相似,菌株XF1-A和XF1-AT的基本发酵性能与菌株XF1无显著差异,菌株XF1-A酿造糯米酒中高级醇含量为522.16 mg/L,比菌株XF1低11.16%;菌株XF1-AT的高级醇含量为462.03 mg/L,比菌株XF1低21.39%。综上,ADH2和THI3基因敲除酿酒酵母能够有效降低糯米酒中高级醇生成量。     

On-line measurement of intracellular ATP of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and pyruvate during sake mashing

The concentrations of intracellular ATP of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and pyruvate in a medium were instantaneously increased by pulse addition of glucose during starvation. They were reduced rapidly by alcohol fortification of the medium, accompanied by simultaneous increases of acetaldehyde concentration and inviability of yeast cells. These results were monitored during fermentation of sake mash by an on-line measuring method. Intracellular ATP and pyruvate concentrations were considered to be indicators of the physiological state of the yeast in sake mash. During sake mashing, it was observed that an increase in temperature enhanced the intracellular ATP concentration and the pyruvate production of the yeast. Since pyruvate production was not affected intensely by changes in temperature during cultivation in a glucose-limited chemostat, this effect was thought to be due to the enhanced rates of cell-growth and/or alcohol production. This suggests that the control of mashing temperature during cell growth until about 10% alcohol accumulation is achieved is important for the control of the pyruvate concentration in sake mash.     

Ady2p is essential for the acetate permease activity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To identify new genes involved in acetate uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an analysis of the gene expression profiles of cells shifted from glucose to acetic acid was performed. The gene expression reprogramming of yeast adapting to a poor non-fermentable carbon source was observed, including dramatic metabolic changes, global activation of translation machinery, mitochondria biogenesis and the induction of known or putative transporters. Among them, the gene ADY2/YCR010c was identified as a new key element for acetate transport, being homologous to the Yarrowia lipolytica GPR1 gene, which has a role in acetic acid sensitivity. Disruption of ADY2 in S. cerevisiae abolished the active transport of acetate. Microarray analyses of ady2Delta strains showed that this gene is not a critical regulator of acetate response and that its role is directly connected to acetate transport. Ady2p is predicted to be a membrane protein and is a valuable acetate transporter candidate.     

Lipid composition of subcellular membranes of an FY1679-derived haploid yeast wild-type strain grown on different carbon sources.

The aim of the project EUROFAN (European Functional Analysis Network) is to elucidate the function of unknown genes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a large scale. Functional analysis is based on general and specific tests with yeast deletion strains. A prerequisite for these studies is a profound knowledge of the biochemistry and cell biology of the corresponding wild-type strain FY1679. As a contribution from our laboratory we present here a systematic lipid analysis of the major organelles isolated from FY1679 grown in the presence of different carbon sources. Phospholipid, sterol and fatty acid composition are characteristic for each organelle. Moreover, growth of the yeast on glucose, ethanol or lactate causes in some cases marked changes of the organelle lipid pattern. As the most prominent example, cultivation of the yeast on non-fermentable carbon sources results in an increase of mitochondrial cardiolipin. As another example, the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids is enhanced in cells grown on ethanol or lactate as compared to glucose. Thus, the lipid composition of yeast subcellular membranes reflects in a significant way the nutrient conditions caused by variation of the carbon source.     

Identification of a Candida glabrata homologue of the S. cerevisiae VRG4 gene,encoding the Golgi GDP-mannose transporter

Mannoproteins on the cell wall of yeast and fungi help regulate cell shape, porosity, and cell-cell interactions, including those required for attachment to host cells by fungal pathogens. The mannose-containing oligosaccharides on proteins and lipids are extended in the Golgi by glycosyltransferases that use GDP-mannose as the sugar substrate. A membrane-bound transporter that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is encoded by the VRG4 gene catalyses delivery of GDP-mannose into the lumen of the Golgi. We report here the cloning of the homologous VRG4 gene from the pathogenic yeast, Candida glabrata, by functional complementation of an S. cerevisiae vrg4 mutant. The sequence of the CgVrg4 protein displays significant homology to GDP-mannose transporters from other yeast, fungi, protozoa, and plants. CgVRG4 fully complements the glycosylation defect and other cell wall associated vrg4 mutant phenotypes. Like ScVRG4, CgVRG4 is essential for the viability of C. glabrata. These results suggest that, as in S. cerevisiae, CgVrg4p accounts for all of the GDP-mannose transport activity in the Golgi lumen.     

硫酸二乙酯化学诱变选育高核糖核酸酿酒酵母及培养基组成优化

该研究以酿酒酵母（Saccharomyces cerevisiae）BY23为出发菌株,采用硫酸二乙酯（DES）对其进行化学诱变,筛选出一株生长性能好、胞内核糖核酸（RNA）含量高的突变株BY23-195,并以胞内RNA含量为评价指标,通过单因素及正交试验对其糖蜜培养基成分进行优化。结果表明：突变株BY23-195生长性能较好,在酵母浸出粉胨葡萄糖（YEPD）培养基中,RNA含量较出发菌株BY23提高了18.85%。最优糖蜜培养基组分为糖蜜（糖度调至12 °Bx）、酵母浸粉5%、硫酸铵0.05%、磷酸二氢钾0.05%、硫酸亚铁0.05%、硫酸锌0.10%。在此最优培养基组成下,突变株BY23-195胞内其RNA含量达到16.01%,较优化前（13.66%）提高了17.20%。     

Studies of yeast Kluyveromyces lactis mutations conferring super-secretion of recombinant proteins

We have isolated mutants responsible for a super-secretion phenotype in Kluyveromyces lactis using the gene coding for a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase as a marker for secretion. These mutations defined two groups, dominant and recessive. The recessive mutant strain, which secreted the heterologous protein in five-fold excess compared to the wild-type strain, was used for the cloning of genes, restraining the super-secreting phenotype. In screening for genes affecting super-secreting phenotype, we found that multiple copies of 10 different independently isolated DNA sequences suppressed the super-secreting phenotype. The first among the genes characterized, named KlSEL1 ('secretion lowering') showed homology to Saccharomyces cerevisiae ORF YML013w. The KlSEL1 gene is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 620 amino acid residues containing a putative transmembrane domain and UBX domain, characteristic for the ubiquitin-regulatory proteins. We demonstrated that the disruption of the SEL1 orthologues in K. lactis and S. cerevisiae conferred the super-secreting phenotype. SEL1 isolated from S. cerevisiae suppressed the super-secretion phenotype in K. lactis klsel1 strain, likewise homologous KlSEL1. No other phenotypic features for strains lacking the SEL1 gene were noticed except for the S. cerevisiae mutant growth being notably slower than in a wt strain. No growth changes were observed in the K. lactis klsel1 mutant. The set of genes (suppressors of over-secreting phenotype) could be attractive for further analysis of gene functions, super-secreting mechanisms and construction of new strains. This collection could be useful for the expedient construction of reduced yeast genomes, optimized for heterologous protein secretion.     

Isolation of a gene encoding a putative polyamine transporter from Candida albicans, GPT1

A gene encoding a transport protein from the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, has been isolated during a complementation experiment utilizing an ornithine decarboxylase-negative (spe1 Delta) strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This gene restores gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transport to a GABA transport-negative mutant of S. cerevisiae and encodes a protein which putatively allows transport of one or more of the polyamines. We have assigned the name GPT1 (GABA/polyamine transporter) to this gene.     

A novel mechanism regulates H(2) S and SO(2) production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Sulfite (SO(2) ) plays an important role in flavour stability in alcoholic beverages, whereas hydrogen sulfide (H(2) S) has an undesirable aroma. To discover the cellular processes that control SO(2) and H(2) S production, we screened a library of Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion mutants. Deletion of 12 genes led to increased H(2) S productivity. Ten of these genes are known to be involved in sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism, whereas UBI4 functions in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and SKP2 encodes an F-box-containing protein whose function is unknown. We found that the skp2 mutant accumulated H(2) S and SO(2) , because the adenosylphophosulfate kinase Met14p is a substrate of SCF(Skp2) and more stable in the skp2 mutant than in the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the skp2 mutant grew more slowly than the wild-type strain under nutrient-limited conditions. Metabolome analysis showed that the concentration of intracellular cysteine is lower in the skp2 mutant than in the wild-type strain. The slow growth of the skp2 mutant was due to a lower concentration of intracellular cysteine, because the addition of cysteine suppressed the slow growth. In the skp2 mutant, the cysteine biosynthesis proteins Str2p, Str3p and Str4p are more stable than in the wild-type strain. Moreover, supplementation with methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine and homocysteine also suppressed the slow growth. Overexpression of STR1 or STR4 caused a more severe defect in the skp2 mutant. These results suggest that the balance of methionine and cysteine biosynthesis is important for yeast cell growth. Thus, Skp2p is one of the key components regulating this balance and H(2) S/SO(2) production.     

产乳酸乙酯酿酒酵母菌株的构建

乳酸乙酯是白酒中重要的呈香物质,并影响着白酒质量和风格。 为提高产乳酸乙酯的能力,以植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）为出发菌株,利用同源重组技术,获得高产L-乳酸的重组菌株。 并分别模拟液态白酒发酵和外源添加乳酸进行发酵,研究 产乳酸乙酯菌株P与出发菌AY12-α株外源添加乳酸发酵产乳酸乙酯的差异。 结果表明,用植物乳杆菌的乳酸脱氢酶基因ldhL1替换 酿酒酵母丙酮酸脱羧酶基因PDC1,得到重组菌株P。 模拟液态白酒发酵过程中,重组菌株P的乳酸和乳酸乙酯产量分别达12.64 g/L和 162.75 mg/L;出发菌株AY12-α中外源添加相同浓度乳酸进行发酵,乳酸乙酯的产量为115.47 mg/L,仅为重组菌株P的71%。 产乳酸乙 酯酵母菌株的构建,初步为豉香型等特定香型白酒的清洁化和机械化酿造奠定了基础。     

Monocarboxylate transporter expression is associated with the absorption of benzoic acid in human intestinal epithelial cells

A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including colon cancer. The active components of the diet which exert these protective effects are unknown but may include small aromatic and phenolic acids. To elicit a physiological response, these acids must first be absorbed by the intestinal epithelium and the present study has focussed on one potential absorptive pathway—the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1. Using Caco‐2 cells (a human intestinal cell line) we have established that benzoic acid uptake is pH‐dependent (resulting in intracellular acidification) and is enhanced in cells expressing higher levels of MCT1 protein. A number of monohydroxybenzoic acids (including salicylic acid) also induced a decrease in intracellular pH which was of a similar magnitude to that elicited by benzoic acid itself, suggesting that they may all be substrates for the same transport pathway. The role of these small organic acids in maintaining normal cell physiology remains to be fully explored. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potassium transport at the plasma membrane of the food spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii

Zygosaccharomyces bailii is a commercially important spoilage yeast capable of growth at low pH in the presence of weak organic acid preservatives, such as benzoic acid. A patch-clamp electrophysiological analysis of plasma membrane K+ transport revealed a high conductance pathway for low-affinity K+ uptake. In contrast to the equivalent K+ transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this system remained operative at low extracellular pH and may therefore facilitate K+ uptake in K(+)-rich and acidic beverages. Benzoate inhibited growth, increased intracellular K+ content, yet decreased the magnitude of the K+ uptake conductance; specifically, the hyperpolarization-activated inwardly-rectifying component was reduced. It is proposed that this adaptation helps maintain a hyperpolarized membrane voltage to effect continued ATPase-mediated H+ extrusion and so combat preservative-induced cytosolic acidosis. Again in contrast to S. cerevisiae, the K+ conductance was relatively insensitive to increased extracellular Ca2+. Paradoxically (and unlike S. cerevisiae) increasing extracellular Ca2+ inhibited growth, suggesting a simple expedient to limit spoilage by Z. bailii.