Article
Cell Biology
Bongkeun Kim, Yongook Lee, Hyojeong Choi, Won-Ki Huh
Summary: Tps2 functions as a positive regulator of autophagy in yeast cells by regulating the induction of ATG8, through controlling the activity of Ume6, Rim15, and Bmh1/2 proteins.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jun Wang, Xue Tang, Yipin Lu, Yingying Zheng, Fanhang Zeng, Wentao Shi, Peng Zhou
Summary: The study demonstrates that lycopene can alleviate myocardial dysfunction and energy metabolism issues induced by Dityrosine, by improving mitochondrial performance and reducing oxidative stress to enhance heart health.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chihiro Takayama, Ayano Koga, Risa Sakamoto, Nobuaki Arita, Motohiro Tani
Summary: The cytotoxicity of dihydrosphingosine (DHS) is partially mediated through activation of the RTG pathway.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huawei Yuan, Wenhao Chen, Yuanlin Chen, Lian Wang, Chao Zhang, Wuyuan Deng, Liqiang Zhang, Guangqian Liu, Caihong Shen, Kai Lou, Songtao Wang
Summary: Thirty-two yeast strains were isolated from fermenting material during Luzhou-flavor liquor production, with strain YB-12 identified as a suitable candidate for rice wine production. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that YB-12 belongs to the genus Meyerozyma. Production of isobutanol and isoamyl alcohol in YB-12 was significantly lower than that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NRRL Y-567, with a reduction in FA yield in rice wine produced with YB-12.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jing-Jing Liu, William Woodruff, Anshu Deewan, Sujit Sadashiv Jagtap, Eun Ju Yun, Hanna E. Walukiewicz, Yong-Su Jin, Christopher Rao
Summary: Deletion of URE2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces characteristics of nitrogen starvation and autophagy, leading to increased lipid production. This finding suggests that URE2 could be a promising target for metabolic engineering in yeast for the production of lipids and lipid-derived compounds.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothy M. Moore, Lijing Cheng, Dane M. Wolf, Jennifer Ngo, Mayuko Segawa, Xiaopeng Zhu, Alexander R. Strumwasser, Yang Cao, Bethan L. Clifford, Alice Ma, Philip Scumpia, Orian S. Shirihai, Thomas Q. de Aguiar Vallim, Markku Laakso, Aldons J. Lusis, Andrea L. Hevener, Zhenqi Zhou
Summary: This study reveals the role of Parkin in regulating mitochondrial homeostasis in white adipocytes, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for combating obesity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Abbiati, Stefano Angelo Garagnani, Ivan Orlandi, Marina Vai
Summary: Supplementation of Quercetin (QUER) in yeast cells can increase their lifespan by reducing oxidative stress and promoting anabolic metabolism, specifically gluconeogenesis, leading to an increase in trehalose, a reserve carbohydrate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Juan Antonio Porras-Aguera, Jaime Moreno-Garcia, Teresa Garcia-Martinez, Juan Moreno, Juan Carlos Mauricio
Summary: The prise de mousse stage during the elaboration of sparkling wine through the traditional method involves a second fermentation in a sealed bottle, which significantly contributes to the unique organoleptic properties of these wines. This study characterizes the mitochondrial response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains used in sparkling wine production and found that CO2 overpressure negatively affects mitochondrion-related proteins. However, proteins involved in wine aromas and respiratory chain are found to be over-represented in sealed bottles, with differences in concentrations observed depending on time and CO2 overpressure parameters. Ethanol content during fermentation may be a key factor in these proteomic changes, highlighting the importance of further research in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yoichi Toyokawa, Jirasin Koonthongkaew, Hiroshi Takagi
Summary: BCAT catalyzes transamination between BCAAs and BCKAs in the cell. Eukaryotic cells have mitochondrial BCAT (BCATm) and cytosolic BCAT (BCATc) isozymes, which have similar enzymatic functions but differences in physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms. The variations of BCAT could have significant implications for research into the relationship between their primary structures and protein functions.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandra Ferramosca, Vincenzo Zara
Summary: Yeast mitochondrial carriers play a crucial role in cellular metabolism by connecting mitochondrial and cytosolic reactions, contributing to various important metabolic pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rinke Johanna Van Tatenhove-Pel, Emile Zwering, Daan Floris Boreel, Martijn Falk, Johan Hendrik van Heerden, Mariah B. M. J. Kes, Cindy Iris Kranenburg, Dennis Botman, Bas Teusink, Herwig Bachmann
Summary: Studying the trade-offs between metabolic efficiency and growth rate in microorganisms like S. cerevisiae can provide insights into microbial evolution and cellular regulation, with potential biotechnological applications. Successful enrichment of S. cerevisiae mutants with increased biomass yield was achieved through serial propagation in water-in-oil emulsions. This method was shown to be a valuable tool for studying metabolic efficiency in S. cerevisiae by repeatedly identifying mutations in genes related to glucose repression during the selection process.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eda Alagoz, Seyda Acar, Meral Yucel, Haluk Hamamci
Summary: In this study, possible genes related to the growth and expression of R. oryzae were identified by conducting a blast search in the genome database. Three of these genes were confirmed to be expressed in R. oryzae through experimental validation.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Shuangping Liu, Donglin Ma, Zhihui Li, Hailong Sun, Jieqi Mao, Ying Shi, Xiao Han, Zhilei Zhou, Jian Mao
Summary: This study assessed the types and amounts of YAN sources and genes regulating higher alcohol synthesis in a yeast used for huangjiu brewing. It found that NH4Cl was most effective in reducing higher alcohol content, providing insights for controlling huangjiu quality by adding NH4Cl.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jinle Liu, Junjie Yang, Lihua Yuan, Chunhua Wu, Yu Jiang, Wei Zhuang, Hanjie Ying, Sheng Yang
Summary: During ethanol production from lignocellulose-derived sugars, recombinant yeasts preferentially utilize xylose and arabinose after glucose exhaustion. This study investigated the intracellular factors involved in this phenomenon and found that the hexokinase-deficient arabinose-fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires specific mutations in the arabinose transporter variant Gal2-N376T and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Cdc25 to overcome glucose restriction. The results showed that these mutations downregulate intracellular cAMP levels, leading to smaller cells and increased arabinose assimilation under glucose restriction.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weijing Yao, Yixing Li, Yingcong Chen, Yuting Chen, Pengwei Zhao, Yi Zhang, Qiang Jiang, Yuyao Feng, Fan Yang, Choufei Wu, Huiming Zhong, Yiting Zhou, Qiming Sun, Liqin Zhang, Wei Liu, Cong Yi
Summary: The DNA damage sensor Mec1 plays an essential role in the DNA damage response pathway and glucose starvation-induced autophagy. It forms puncta and contacts both mitochondria and the phagophore assembly site (PAS) through interactions with the adaptor protein Ggc1 and direct binding with Atg13, respectively. These interactions are mediated by specific protein regions, MBR on Atg13 and ABR on Mec1, and disruption of these regions impairs the recruitment of Mec1 puncta and Atg13 to the PAS, blocking glucose starvation-induced autophagy.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin Offei, Paul Vandecruys, Stijn De Graeve, Maria R. Foulquie-Morenot, Johan M. Thevelein
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marija Stojiljkovic, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhiqiang Zhang, Ines Cottignie, Griet Van Zeebroeck, Johan M. Thevelein
Summary: Multiple starvation-induced, high-affinity nutrient transporters in yeast act as receptors for activation of the PKA pathway upon re-addition of their substrates. These transceptors physically interact with the PKA-related Sch9 protein kinase, suggesting a nutrient transceptor-Sch9-TOR axis that may be affected by environmental challenges.
BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Caroline L. Perez, Thais S. Milessi, Juliana P. Sandri, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Roberto C. Giordano, Johan M. Thevelein, Raquel de Lima Camargo Giordano, Teresa C. Zangirolami
Summary: Efficient fermentation of glucose and xylose is essential for second generation ethanol production, with improved ethanol tolerance in yeasts and innovative solutions to increase sugar concentration in hydrolysates being the main challenges.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gert Vanmarcke, Mekonnen M. Demeke, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
Summary: The study investigated the inhibition of ethanol fermentation by two industrial second-generation yeast strains in five lignocellulose hydrolysates. The results showed that the presence of furfural at industrially relevant concentrations caused partial inhibition of glucose and xylose consumption. Furthermore, the addition of 3 or 6 g/L furfural significantly reduced the ethanol titer obtained with strain MD4 in all evaluated hydrolysates.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chetan P. Kulkarni, Johan M. Thevelein, Walter Luyten
Summary: The study revealed differences in SGLT1-mediated glucose transport and its regulation in Caco-2 cells as compared to in vivo situations. At lower glucose concentrations, SGLT1 plays a larger role in glucose transport in Caco-2 cell monolayers, suggesting contributions from other transporters at higher concentrations. Additionally, Caco-2 cells may lack certain kinases and functional beta(2)-adrenoceptors, explaining the differences in glucose transport regulation observed in the study.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Quinten Deparis, Jorge Duitama, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
Summary: Mutations in tRNAs play a crucial role in evolution to overcome specific tRNA deficiencies, and stress conditions may have been a driving force for the selection of anticodon-switching mutations in tRNAs. The introduction of a low number of causative elements by whole-genome transformation may be advantageous for improving industrial yeast strains.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thomas Nicolai, Quinten Deparis, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
Summary: The research team has successfully developed an industrial yeast strain capable of producing muconic acid from glucose, and efficiently from xylose, without ethanol production and with minimal byproduct formation, achieving the highest reported titers in batch fermentation to date. However, utilization of higher sugar levels remains incomplete due to a possible metabolic bottleneck that arises during fermentation, blocking further sugar utilization.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Caroline L. Perez, Lais P. R. da C. Pereira, Thais S. Milessi, Juliana P. Sandri, Mekonnen Demeke, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein, Teresa C. Zangirolami
Summary: A strategy based on strain evaluation and integration with 1G ethanol production was used to develop a robust and scalable process for 2G ethanol production. The study found that using mixed medium of crude bagasse hydrolysate and molasses achieved high ethanol concentrations and long-term stability.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Gert Vanmarcke, Quinten Deparis, Ward Vanthienen, Arne Peetermans, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
Summary: This study explores the development of cell factories for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels or bio-based chemicals, facing challenges from inhibitory chemicals. By screening Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and non-conventional yeast species, a Candida glabrata strain with high 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) tolerance was identified. Genetic transformation with C. glabrata DNA improved HMF tolerance in yeast, with a novel SNP in the AST2 gene identified as the causative mutation for enhanced inhibitor tolerance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marija Stojiljkovic, Arne Claes, Quinten Deparis, Mekonnen M. Demeke, Ana Subotic, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
Summary: Whole-genome transformation can generate strains with superior traits by introducing DNA from other strains. This study successfully obtained stable transformants with acetic acid tolerance by transforming a haploid S. cerevisiae strain with DNA from a tolerant strain, and identified the main causative SNP as c.[805G -> T] mutation in the SNF4 gene.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Raiane C. Soares, Teresa C. Zangirolami, Raquel L. C. Giordano, Mekonnen M. Demeke, Johan M. Thevelein, Thais S. Milessi
Summary: This study explores the application of Ca-alginate hybrid gels in immobilizing recombinant yeast to enhance its tolerance to inhibitors. The results demonstrate that the use of the hybrid gel improves yeast performance in the presence of high concentrations of acetic acid and in crude hydrolysate.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ben Souffriau, Sylvester Holt, Arne Hagman, Stijn De Graeve, Philippe Malcorps, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
Summary: This study investigates the inhibition effect caused by high CO2 pressure and identifies a yeast strain with superior tolerance to this effect. The study also identifies the gene responsible for the tolerance and demonstrates the potential of genetic modification or marker-assisted breeding in creating yeast strains with improved flavor production under high CO2 pressure.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Deleu, Kaline Arnauts, Lowie Deprez, Kathleen Machiels, Marc Ferrante, Geert R. B. Huys, Johan M. M. Thevelein, Jeroen Raes, Severine Vermeire
Summary: Short-chain fatty acids and their bacterial producers are gaining increasing attention in inflammatory bowel diseases. Acetate, although less studied compared to butyrate, shows potential in being less toxic to epithelial cells, stimulating butyrate-producing bacteria, and having anti-inflammatory and barrier-protective properties. In a study using organoid-based monolayer cultures from ulcerative colitis patients, high acetate concentrations were found to improve epithelial resistance, decrease pro-inflammatory markers, and enhance barrier gene expression. These findings suggest that acetate may offer a promising approach for managing barrier defects and inflammation in IBD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Sylvester Holt, Marta H. Miks, Bruna Trindade de Carvalho, Maria R. Foulquie-Moreno, Johan M. Thevelein
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2019)