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Human-liver cytochromes P-450 expressed in yeast as tools for reactive-metabolite formation studies. Oxidative activation of tienilic acid by cytochromes P-450 2C9 and 2C10.

Human liver cytochromes P-450 (P450) 2C9 and 2C10 expressed in yeast reproduce all the metabolic features of the oxidation of tienilic acid (2-aryloxo-thiophene) and its isomer (3-aroylthiophene) by human liver microsomes. Microsomes of yeast expressing either P450 2C9 or P450 2C10 catalyze (a) the 5-hydroxylation of tienilic acid by NADPH and O2 (Km = 6 microM, Vmax = 2.5 turnover/min), (b) the activation of tienilic acid and its isomer into electrophilic metabolites which covalently bind to proteins, and (c) the formation of a mercaptoethanol adduct which results from the trapping of the tienilic acid isomer sulfoxide by this thiol. Microsomes of yeast expressing human liver P450 3A4, 1A1 and 1A2 are unable to catalyze these reactions. There is a striking similarity between the quantitative characteristics of the oxidation of tienilic acid (and its isomer) by yeast-expressed P450 2C9 (or 2C10) and by human liver microsomes: (a) analogous Km values (around 10 microM) for tienilic acid 5-hydroxylation, (b) a strong inhibition of tienilic acid oxidation by human sera containing anti-(liver kidney microsomes type 2) (anti-LKM2) antibodies, and (c) almost identical relative ratios of tienilic acid metabolic activation/5-hydroxylation and of tienilic acid activation/the activation of its isomer with both systems. Rates of oxidation of tienilic acid (and its isomer) by yeast microsomes are 6-8 fold higher than those found in human liver microsomes, which would be in agreement with the previously reported amount of P450 2C9 in human liver. These results not only suggest the important role of P450 2C9 in the oxidative metabolism of tienilic acid in human liver, but also indicate that the 5-hydroxylation reaction could be a useful marker for P450 2C9 activity and underline the interest of human liver P450s expressed in yeast as tools for studying the formation of reactive metabolites.

Biotransformation↗

The wheat poly(A)-binding protein functionally complements pab1 in yeast.

Poly(A)-binding protein (PAB) binds to the poly(A) tail of most eukaryotic mRNAs and influences its translational efficiency as well as its stability. Although the primary structure of PAB is well conserved in eukaryotes, its functional conservation across species has not been extensively investigated. In order to determine whether PAB from a monocot plant species could function in yeast, a protein characterized as having PAB activity was purified from wheat and a cDNA encoding for PAB was isolated from a wheat seedling expression library. Wheat PAB (72 kDa as estimated by SDS/PAGE and a theoretical mass of 70 823 Da as determined from the cDNA) was present in multiple isoforms and exhibited binding characteristics similar to that determined for yeast PAB. Comparison of the wheat PAB protein sequence with PABs from yeast and other species revealed that wheat PAB contained the characteristic features of all PABs, including four RNA binding domains each of which contained the conserved RNP1 and RNP2 sequence motifs. The wheat PAB cDNA functionally complemented a pab1 mutant in yeast suggesting that, although the amino acid sequence of wheat PAB is only 47% conserved from that of yeast PAB, this monocot protein can function in yeast.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression in yeast of a novel phospholipase A1 cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana.

During a search for cDNAs encoding plant sterol acyltransferases, we isolated four full-length cDNAs from Arabidopsis thaliana that encode proteins with substantial identity with animal lecithin : cholesterol acyltransferases (LCATs). The expression of one of these cDNAs, AtLCAT3 (At3g03310), in various yeast strains resulted in the doubling of the triacylglycerol content. Furthermore, a complete lipid analysis of the transformed wild-type yeast showed that its phospholipid content was lower than that of the control (void plasmid-transformed) yeast whereas lysophospholipids and free fatty acids increased. When microsomes from the AtLCAT3-transformed yeast were incubated with di-[1-14C]oleyl phosphatidylcholine, both the lysophospholipid and free fatty acid fractions were highly and similarly labelled, whereas the same incubation with microsomes from the control yeast produced a negligible labelling of these fractions. Moreover when microsomes from AtLCAT3-transformed yeast were incubated with either sn-1- or sn-2-[1-14C]acyl phosphatidylcholine, the distribution of the labelling between the free fatty acid and the lysophosphatidylcholine fractions strongly suggested a phospholipase A1 activity for AtLCAT3. The sn-1 specificity of this phospholipase was confirmed by gas chromatography analysis of the hydrolysis of 1-myristoyl, 2-oleyl phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid were shown to be also hydrolysed by AtLCAT3, although less efficiently than phosphatidylcholine. Lysophospatidylcholine was a weak substrate whereas tripalmitoylglycerol and cholesteryl oleate were not hydrolysed at all. This novel A. thaliana phospholipase A1 shows optimal activity at pH 6-6.5 and 60-65 degrees C and appears to be unaffected by Ca2+. Its sequence is unrelated to all other known phospholipases. Further studies are in progress to elucidate its physiological role.

Acyltransferases↗

Comparisons of selenite and selenium yeast feed supplements on Se-incorporation, mastitis and leucocyte function in Se-deficient dairy cows.

The dairy cows at the Estonian Agricultural University appeared to have an extremely low selenium status. The selenium level was 5.6 micrograms/l in whole blood and 3.2 micrograms/l in milk, on average. The blood glutathione peroxidase was consequently extremely low. The effects of organic selenium (selenized yeast) and sodium selenite were compared in a feeding experiment on 100 dairy cows. Selenium incorporation, udder health and the in vitro function of blood neutrophils were monitored. Supplementation of the feed either with 0.2 ppm organic selenium or sodium selenite for 8 weeks, increased the blood selenium level (geometric mean) within this period from the back-ground level (about 5.6 micrograms/l) to 167 (Se-yeast) and to 91 micrograms/l (selenite). The respective change in whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) was from 0.22 to 3.0 (Se-yeast) and to 2.3 (selenite) microKat/g Hb. Blood GSH-PX continued to increase up to 10 weeks after the supplementation was stopped. The bioavailability of yeast selenium was superior to selenite: the relative bioavailability (selenite = 1) of yeast selenium was 1.4 if blood GSH-PX, 1.9 if blood selenium, and 2.7 if milk selenium was used as the response criterion. Selenium-supplementation showed a positive effect on udder health. The percentage of quarters harbouring mastitis pathogens dropped from 22.9 to 13.0 in the Se-yeast group and from 18.4 to 7.4 in the selenite group during the supplementation period. The effect of selenium on mastitis was also reflected as a decrease in the output of milk somatic cells and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase). The time-luminescence profile of zymosan-induced activity of blood neutrophils became skewed to the left in Se-supplemented cows.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Enhanced phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Pityrosporum ovale by human neutrophils after exposure to ketoconazole is correlated to changes of the yeast cell surface.

In seborrhoeic dermatitis an inflammatory response occurs secondary to large numbers of Pityrosporum yeasts appearing within and beneath the epidermis. To study the interaction between human neutrophils and P. ovale and any immunomodulating effect of antifungal agents, the yeast was exposed to ketoconazole and then incorporated into neutrophil monolayer assays. Phagocytosis was complement dependent and reached a maximum after 40 min. Ketoconazole at 25, 50 and 100 mg l-1 had no significant effect on phagocytosis of P. ovale. However, when yeast cells were pretreated with ketoconazole for 2 h before exposure to the phagocyte monolayer there was a significant enhancement of phagocytosis with increasing drug concentration. Intracellular killing of P. ovale was assessed by methylene blue dye exclusion. In the absence of ketoconazole, 5% of intracellular yeast cells were killed following internalization for 2 h. Pretreatment of yeast cells with ketoconazole at 10 and 100 mg l-1 for 2 h prior to ingestion significantly increased intracellular killing to a maximum of 23%. This study demonstrates that yeast cells of P. ovale are readily ingested by human neutrophils by a complement dependent process. Phagocytosis is enhanced if the organism is exposed to ketoconazole before opsonisation and ingestion. The inability of neutrophils to kill P. ovale is modulated in the presence of therapeutic concentrations of ketoconazole.

Cells, Cultured↗

[Impact of antifungal prophylaxis on the gastrointestinal yeast colonisation in patients with haematological malignancies].

Patients with haematological malignancies are at high risk for developing invasive Candida infections. They are often colonised with Candida spp. in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In order to prevent infection, the prophylactic use of antifungal agents has been established. The widespread use of fluconazole may lead to the emergence of resistant Candida isolates. We studied the yeast colonisation of the GI tract in patients with haematological malignancies receiving antifungal prophylaxis (AP) in comparison with healthy controls. The study cohort included 46 neutropenic patients with 52 stool samples under 52 episodes of AP and 110 healthy controls. The patients received amphotericin B orally (n = 8), amphotericin B and fluconazole (n = 7), amphotericin B and itraconazole (n = 5), fluconazole orally (n = 15) and itraconazole orally (n = 17). Yeasts were cultured from the stool samples of 63.5% of the patients and 60% of the controls with a mean yeast load of 1.6 x 10(3) and 0.4 x 10(3) cfu g(-1), respectively (P = 0.045). Patients and controls had a low faecal yeast load of 10(3) to 10(4) cfu g(-1) in 19.3% and 37.3%, respectively (P = 0.021), and yeast overgrowth of >10(5) cfu g(-1) in 28.9% and 10.9%, respectively (P = 0.004). The rate of Candida albicans was 32.6% and 54.1% in the patients and controls, respectively (P = 0.021). The rates of fluconazole-resistant yeast species were higher in the patient group than in the control group: C. glabrata 20.9% vs. 11.7% (P = 0.168), C. krusei 25.6% vs. 4.7% (P = 0.001). Not a single patient under AP suffered from proven or probable invasive candidosis. In conclusion, oral AP in haematological patients resulted in a higher colonisation rate with fluconazole-resistant Candida species but efficiently prevented invasive candidosis.

Antifungal Agents↗

Comparison of Auxacolor with API 20 C Aux in yeast identification.

OBJECTIVE: To compare Auxacolor with API 20 C Aux for identification of yeasts. METHODS: A total of 206 isolates belonging to 25 species was used in this study. Conventional yeast identification methods were used as a reference. RESULTS: With API 20 C Aux, the correct identification rate was 89.3% after 2 days, while 94.7% of the strains were correctly identified after 3 days. One of 14 strains of Candida tropicalis and 10 of 16 strains of Trichosporon cutaneum were not correctly identified. With Auxacolor, the percentages of correct identification after 1 and 2 days were 60.1% and 69.4%, respectively. Most strains of 11 of the 20 species considered in the system were correctly identified, including several of the most frequent yeast species. Several less commonly encountered yeast species were not correctly identified. Suggestions for improvement of the Auxacolor system are given. CONCLUSIONS: For the most frequent yeast species, Auxacolor, after adaptation and correction of the identification table, provides a useful alternative to API 20 C Aux. For less frequently encountered yeast species, the use of API 20 C Aux is preferable.

Journal Article↗

The importance of surface charge and hydrophobicity for the flocculation of chain-forming brewing yeast strains and resistance of these parameters to acid washing.

The cell surface charge and hydrophobicity of the brewing yeast cell surface influences flocculation. Physiological stress, such as starvation, affects the capacity of some strains to flocculate due to the reorganisation of the cell wall and the modification of the surface physical properties. On completion of a brewery fermentation, yeast is removed from the beer, stored and inoculated (repitched) into a subsequent fermentation. Prior to repitching, brewing yeast slurries may be acid washed to remove any contaminating bacteria. This treatment has been shown to cause yeast cell surface "blistering". Acid washing treatment was used to examine the susceptibility of the physical properties of two chain-forming brewing yeast strains to stress. Although acid-washing affected the cell surface charge and hydrophobicity in both strains, the flocculation response was strain dependant. It is suggested that surface charge and the non-separation of progeny from mother cells rather than hydrophobicity influences the flocculation of chain-forming brewing yeast.

Acids↗

High levels of oral yeasts in early HIV-1 infection.

Ten human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infected homosexual or bisexual individuals (ages 24-45) with no history of opportunistic infection were examined, by culture, for the presence of yeasts in whole saliva and on oral mucosa. All were HIV-1 antibody-positive men, non-smokers, non-denture wearers, and taking no medication. The mean salivary level of yeast was four logs higher in the HIV-1 infected group compared to a control group of normal, unmedicated, non-smoking men (ages 20-41) who denied any risk behavior for HIV-1 infection. Identification of the yeast in these HIV-1 positive individuals established that Candida albicans was the predominant species found in whole saliva and on buccal mucosa and tongue. Distinct hyphae were observed with only one mucosal sample. No significant correlation was found between whole saliva yeast concentration and the T4/T8 lymphocyte ratios or absolute number of T4 cells. No correlation was observed between oral yeast concentration and anti-C. albicans IgA titers. The high level of oral yeast in these individuals prior to the development of opportunistic infections is consistent with the suggestion that oral defense mechanisms are compromised in individuals following HIV-1 infection.

Adult↗

On the mechanisms of glycolytic oscillations in yeast.

This work concerns the cause of glycolytic oscillations in yeast. We analyse experimental data as well as models in two distinct cases: the relaxation-like oscillations seen in yeast extracts, and the sinusoidal Hopf oscillations seen in intact yeast cells. In the case of yeast extracts, we use flux-change plots and model analyses to establish that the oscillations are driven by on/off switching of phosphofructokinase. In the case of intact yeast cells, we find that the instability leading to the appearance of oscillations is caused by the stoichiometry of the ATP-ADP-AMP system and the allosteric regulation of phosphofructokinase, whereas frequency control is distributed over the reaction network. Notably, the NAD+/NADH ratio modulates the frequency of the oscillations without affecting the instability. This is important for understanding the mutual synchronization of oscillations in the individual yeast cells, as synchronization is believed to occur via acetaldehyde, which in turn affects the frequency of oscillations by changing this ratio.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhibition of growth of Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells in human macrophages by the iron chelator VUF 8514 and comparison of VUF 8514 with deferoxamine.

Histoplasma capsulatum requires intracellular iron to survive and multiply within human and murine macrophages (M phi). Thus, iron chelators may be useful compounds in the treatment of histoplasmosis. In the present study we compared the efficacies of five different iron chelators with deferoxamine (DEF) for their capacity to inhibit the growth of H. capsulatum yeast cells in culture medium and within human M phi. Of the agents tested, only one, VUF 8514, a 2,2'-bipyridyl analog, was found to be effective. VUF 8514 inhibited the growth of yeast cells in tissue culture medium and within M phi in a dose-response fashion. In tissue culture medium, the 50% effective dose (ED50) of VUF 8514 was 30 nM and the ED50 of DEF was 1 mM. In human M phi, the ED50 of VUF 8514 was 520 nM and the ED50 of DEF was 4 mM. Thus, VUF 8514 was effective at a concentration 7.7 x 10(3)-fold lower than DEF in inhibiting the growth of yeast cells in M phi. Inhibition of the intracellular growth of yeast cells by VUF 8514 was reversed by holotransferrin and iron nitriloacetate, an iron compound that is soluble at neutral to alkaline pH. Thus, VUF 8514 inhibits the intracellular growth of yeast cells by acting as an iron chelator rather than through its capacity as a weak base. These data suggest that the hydroxamic acid siderophore of H. capsulatum yeast cells competes successfully for iron against some iron chelators but not others and that VUF 8514 may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of histoplasmosis.

2,2'-Dipyridyl↗

Production of Ethanol from d-Xylose by Using d-Xylose Isomerase and Yeasts.

d-Xylulose, an intermediate of d-xylose catabolism, was observed to be fermentable to ethanol and carbon dioxide in a yield of greater than 80% by yeasts (including industrial bakers' yeast) under fermentative conditions. This conversion appears to be carried out by many yeasts known for d-glucose fermentation. In some yeasts, xylitol, in addition to ethanol, was produced from d-xylulose. Fermenting yeasts are also able to produce ethanol from d-xylose when d-xylose isomerizing enzyme is present. The results indicate that ethanol could be produced from d-xylose in a yield of greater than 80% by a two-step process. First, d-xylose is converted to d-xylulose by xylose isomerase. d-Xylulose is then fermented to ethanol by yeasts.

Journal Article↗

Isolation and Screening of Yeasts That Ferment d-Xylose Directly to Ethanol.

Natural habitats of yeasts were examined for the presence of strains able to produce ethanol from d-xylose. Black knots, insect frass, and tree exudates were screened by enrichment in liquid d-xylose-yeast extract medium. These and each d-xylose-assimilating yeast in a collection from cactus fruits and Drosophila spp. were tested for alcohol production from this sugar. Among the 412 isolates examined, 36 produced more than 1 g of ethanol liter from 20 g of d-xylose liter, all under aerated conditions. Closer examination of the strains indicated that their time courses of d-xylose fermentation followed different patterns. Some strains produced more biomass than ethanol, and among these, ethanol may or may not be assimilated rapidly after depletion of d-xylose. Others produced more ethanol than biomass, but all catabolized ethanol after carbohydrate exhaustion. Ethanol production appeared best at low pH values and under mild aeration. Possible correlations between the nutritional profiles of the yeasts and their ability to produce ethanol from d-xylose were explored by multivariate analysis. d-Xylose appeared slightly better utilized by yeasts which rate poorly in terms of fermentation. The fermentation of d-glucose had no bearing on d-xylose fermentation. No specific nutritional trait could discriminate well between better d-xylose fermentors and other yeasts.

Journal Article↗

Detection of Active Yeast Cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in Frozen Dough Sections.

A new method based on fluorescence microscopy was developed to detect active yeast cells in cryosections of wheat dough. The sections were stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and counterstained with Evans blue. The active yeast cells in the sections appeared brilliant yellow and were readily distinguished from the red dough matrix. The dead cells allowed penetration of the Evans blue through the cell membrane, which interfered with the DAPI staining and caused the dead cells to blend into the red environment. The number of active yeast cells in fermenting dough sections containing different proportions of living and dead yeast cells correlated well with the gas-forming capability of the yeast in the dough but not with the results of the conventional plate count method. The new method allows the study of yeast activity not only during the different stages of frozen dough processing but also during the fermentation of doughs.

Journal Article↗

Construction from a single parent of baker's yeast strains with high freeze tolerance and fermentative activity in both lean and sweet doughs.

From a freeze-tolerant baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), 2,333 spore clones were obtained. To improve the leavening ability in lean dough of the parent strain, we selected 555 of the high-maltose-fermentative spore clones by using a method in which a soft agar solution containing maltose and bromocresol purple was overlaid on yeast colonies. By measuring the gassing power in the dough, we selected 66 spore clones with a good leavening ability in lean dough and a total of 694 hybrids were constructed by crossing them. Among these hybrids, we obtained 50 novel freeze-tolerant strains with good leavening ability in all lean, regular, and sweet doughs comparable to that of commercial baker's yeast. Hybrids with improved leavening ability or freeze tolerance compared with the parent yeast and commercial baker's yeasts were also obtained. These results suggest that hybridization between spore clones derived from a single parent strain is effective for improving the properties of baker's yeasts.

Fermentation↗

Characteristics and efficiency of glutamine production by coupling of a bacterial glutamine synthetase reaction with the alcoholic fermentation system of baker's yeast.

Glutamine production with bacterial glutamine synthetase (GS) and the sugar-fermenting system of baker's yeast for ATP regeneration was investigated by determining the product yield obtained with the energy source for ATP regeneration (i.e., glucose) for yeast fermentation. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was accumulated temporarily prior to the formation of glutamine in mixtures which consisted of dried yeast cells, GS, their substrate (glucose and glutamate and ammonia), inorganic phosphate, and cofactors. By an increase in the amounts of GS and inorganic phosphate, the amounts of glutamine formed increased to 19 to 54 g/liter, with a yield increase of 69 to 72% based on the energy source (glucose) for ATP regeneration. The analyses of sugar fermentation of the yeast in the glutamine-producing mixtures suggested that the apparent hydrolysis of ATP by a futile cycle(s) at the early stage of glycolysis in the yeast cells reduces the efficiency of ATP utilization. Inorganic phosphate inhibits phosphatase(s) and thus improves glutamine yield. However, the analyses of GS activity in the glutamine-producing mixtures suggested that the higher concentration of inorganic phosphate as well as the limited amount of ATP-ADP caused the low reactivity of GS in the glutamine-producing mixtures. A result suggestive of improved glutamine yield under the conditions with lower concentrations of inorganic phosphate was obtained by using a yeast mutant strain that had low assimilating ability for glycerol and ethanol. In the mutant, the activity of the enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis, especially fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, was lower than that in the wild-type strain.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Oxygen requirements of the food spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii in synthetic and complex media.

Most yeast species can ferment sugars to ethanol, but only a few can grow in the complete absence of oxygen. Oxygen availability might, therefore, be a key parameter in spoilage of food caused by fermentative yeasts. In this study, the oxygen requirement and regulation of alcoholic fermentation were studied in batch cultures of the spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii at a constant pH, pH 3.0. In aerobic, glucose-grown cultures, Z. bailii exhibited aerobic alcoholic fermentation similar to that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other Crabtree-positive yeasts. In anaerobic fermentor cultures grown on a synthetic medium supplemented with glucose, Tween 80, and ergosterol, S. cerevisiae exhibited rapid exponential growth. Growth of Z. bailii under these conditions was extremely slow and linear. These linear growth kinetics indicate that cell proliferation of Z. bailii in the anaerobic fermentors was limited by a constant, low rate of oxygen leakage into the system. Similar results were obtained with the facultatively fermentative yeast Candida utilis. When the same experimental setup was used for anaerobic cultivation, in complex YPD medium, Z. bailii exhibited exponential growth and vigorous fermentation, indicating that a nutritional requirement for anaerobic growth was met by complex-medium components. Our results demonstrate that restriction of oxygen entry into foods and beverages, which are rich in nutrients, is not a promising strategy for preventing growth and gas formation by Z. bailii. In contrast to the growth of Z. bailii, anaerobic growth of S. cerevisiae on complex YPD medium was much slower than growth in synthetic medium, which probably reflected the superior tolerance of the former yeast to organic acids at low pH.

Aerobiosis↗

Aquaporin expression correlates with freeze tolerance in baker's yeast, and overexpression improves freeze tolerance in industrial strains.

Little information is available about the precise mechanisms and determinants of freeze resistance in baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genomewide gene expression analysis and Northern analysis of different freeze-resistant and freeze-sensitive strains have now revealed a correlation between freeze resistance and the aquaporin genes AQY1 and AQY2. Deletion of these genes in a laboratory strain rendered yeast cells more sensitive to freezing, while overexpression of the respective genes, as well as heterologous expression of the human aquaporin gene hAQP1, improved freeze tolerance. These findings support a role for plasma membrane water transport activity in determination of freeze tolerance in yeast. This appears to be the first clear physiological function identified for microbial aquaporins. We suggest that a rapid, osmotically driven efflux of water during the freezing process reduces intracellular ice crystal formation and resulting cell damage. Aquaporin overexpression also improved maintenance of the viability of industrial yeast strains, both in cell suspensions and in small doughs stored frozen or submitted to freeze-thaw cycles. Furthermore, an aquaporin overexpression transformant could be selected based on its improved freeze-thaw resistance without the need for a selectable marker gene. Since aquaporin overexpression does not seem to affect the growth and fermentation characteristics of yeast, these results open new perspectives for the successful development of freeze-resistant baker's yeast strains for use in frozen dough applications.

Aquaporin 1↗