Effects of aldehyde dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA synthetase on acetate formation in sake mash

To reveal the mechanism of the production of acetate by sake yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the expression of genes encoding aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD), acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and acetyl-CoA hydrolase (ACH), which are related to acetate production, was investigated. Northern blot analysis using total RNA of sake yeast isolated from sake mash revealed that all of the tested genes, ACS1, ACS2, ALD2/3, ALD4, ALD6 and ACH1, were transcribed during sake fermentation. Transcription of ALD2/3 was detected only in the early stage of sake fermentation. A static culture of sake yeast in hyperosmotic media including 1 M sorbitol or 20% glucose resulted in high acetate production and increased transcription of ALD2/3. This is the same result as reported in an aerobic condition, and induction of ALD2/3 seemed to be one reason for high acetate production at high glucose concentration during fermentation. Overexpression of ACS2 resulted in low acetate production both during small-scale sake fermentation and in a static liquid culture. On the other hand, over-expression of ACS1 did not change acetate productivity significantly in a static culture. These results indicate that ALD2/3 and ACS2 play important roles for acetate production during sake fermentation.