Discovering Genes Linked to Heat-Resistant Fermentation in a Unique Yeast Strain

Jim Crocker
5th September, 2024

Discovering Genes Linked to Heat-Resistant Fermentation in a Unique Yeast Strain

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from BIOTEC studied yeast to understand genes involved in heat stress tolerance, crucial for industrial fermentation
  • They identified six candidate genes on chromosome X, with PTK2, NTA1, and IML1 showing significant roles in heat tolerance
  • PTK2 is essential for maintaining cellular functions under stress, impacting ethanol production and cell membrane activity
The fermentative yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been a valuable model for studying genetic responses to stress and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Researchers from the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) conducted a study to understand the genetic basis of high-temperature fermentation in S. cerevisiae[1]. This study aimed to identify and characterize genes involved in heat stress tolerance, which is crucial for industrial fermentation processes. The researchers performed a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis on the progeny resulting from the mating of a natural yeast isolate, BCC39850 (haploid#17), and a laboratory strain, CEN.PK2-1C. This analysis identified a single QTL on chromosome X, encompassing six candidate genes: GEA1, PTK2, NTA1, NPA3, IRT1, and IML1. To determine the role of these genes, the team conducted reverse genetic experiments by creating deletion mutants for each gene. The deletion mutants of PTK2, NTA1, and IML1 exhibited growth defects at 42°C, indicating their potential role in heat stress tolerance. Specifically, the PTK2 knock-out mutant showed significantly reduced ethanol production and plasma membrane H+ ATPase activity. Additionally, this mutant demonstrated increased sensitivity to acetic acid, ethanol, amphotericin B (AMB), and β-1,3-glucanase treatment. These findings highlight the importance of PTK2 in maintaining cellular functions under stress conditions. To further investigate the role of these genes, the researchers used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to construct knock-in mutants by replacing PTK2, NTA1, IML1, and NPA3 genes with alleles from the BCC39850 isolate. The knock-in mutants for PTK2 and NTA1 showed improved growth and higher ethanol production at 42°C, reinforcing the significance of these genes in heat stress tolerance. The study suggests that PTK2, a serine/threonine protein kinase, plays a crucial role in regulating plasma membrane H+ ATPase activity, which is essential for maintaining ion homeostasis and cellular pH under stress conditions[2]. This finding aligns with previous research indicating the importance of protein phosphorylation in regulating cellular processes in S. cerevisiae[2]. Additionally, NTA1, an N-terminal amidase, appears to be involved in protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which is vital for managing damaged or misfolded proteins during heat stress[3]. These results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying heat stress tolerance in S. cerevisiae. By identifying key genes like PTK2 and NTA1, this research provides valuable insights for improving industrial fermentation processes, where maintaining yeast viability and productivity at high temperatures is crucial. In summary, the BIOTEC study has identified and characterized genes that play significant roles in heat stress tolerance in S. cerevisiae. By leveraging advanced genetic tools like CRISPR-Cas9, the researchers have provided a clearer picture of how specific genes contribute to cellular resilience under high-temperature conditions. This research not only enhances our understanding of yeast biology but also holds potential for optimizing industrial fermentation processes.

BiotechGeneticsBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Identification of genes associated with the high-temperature fermentation trait in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae natural isolate BCC39850.

Published 4th September, 2024

Journal: Archives of microbiology

Issue: Vol 206, Issue 10, Sep 2024

Related Studies

2) The NPR/Hal family of protein kinases in yeasts: biological role, phylogeny and regulation under environmental challenges.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.006

3) The Role of the Membrane-Initiated Heat Shock Response in Cancer.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2016.00012


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