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Exploring the biological function of efflux pumps for the development of superior industrial yeasts
Isabel Sá-Correia1, Cláudia P Godinho2
1iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract:
Among the mechanisms used by yeasts to overcome the deleterious effects of chemical and other environmental stresses is the activity of plasma membrane efflux pumps involved in multidrug resistance (MDR), a role on the focus of intensive research for years in pathogenic yeasts. More recently, these active transporters belonging to the MFS (Drug: H+ antiporters) or the ABC superfamily have been involved in resistance to xenobiotic compounds and in the transport of substrates with a clear physiological role. This review paper focuses on these putative efflux pumps concerning their tolerance phenotypes towards bioprocess-specific multiple stress factors, expression levels, physiological roles, and mechanisms by which they may lead to multistress resistance. Their association with the increased secretion of metabolites and other bioproducts and in the development of more robust superior strains for Yeast Chemical Biotechnology is highlighted.
Insights
Yeasts use plasma membrane efflux pumps to resist environmental stresses and xenobiotics. These transporters are key to developing robust strains for biotechnology applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Yeasts employ plasma membrane efflux pumps for multidrug resistance (MDR).
- These transporters, including MFS and ABC superfamily members, handle xenobiotics and physiological substrates.
- Research has focused on their role in pathogenic yeasts, but broader applications are emerging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of efflux pumps in yeast stress tolerance and bioprocess applications.
- To explore efflux pump phenotypes, expression, and physiological roles in multistress resistance.
- To highlight their contribution to enhanced metabolite secretion and strain development in Yeast Chemical Biotechnology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of efflux pump mechanisms in yeasts.
- Analysis of efflux pump involvement in resistance to multiple bioprocess-specific stress factors.
- Examination of efflux pump roles in metabolite secretion and strain improvement.
Main Results:
- Efflux pumps contribute significantly to yeast tolerance against diverse environmental and chemical stresses.
- These transporters are implicated in resistance to xenobiotics and transport of endogenous compounds.
- Increased efflux pump activity correlates with enhanced secretion of metabolites and bioproducts.
Conclusions:
- Plasma membrane efflux pumps are crucial for yeast stress adaptation and industrial applications.
- Understanding these pumps can lead to the development of superior yeast strains for chemical biotechnology.
- Efflux pump activity is a key factor in optimizing bioprocesses and increasing product yields.
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