Sterol-Targeted Laboratory Evolution Allows the Isolation of Thermotolerant and Respiratory-Competent Clones of the Industrial Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

ABSTRACT: Sterol composition plays a crucial role in determining the ability of yeast cells to withstand high temperatures, an essential trait in biotechnology. Using a targeted evolution strategy involving fluconazole (FCNZ), an inhibitor of the sterol biosynthesis pathway, and the immunosuppressant FK506, we aimed to enhance thermotolerance in an industrial baker's yeast population by modifying their sterol composition. This approach yielded six isolates capable of proliferating in liquid YPD with μ_max values ranging from 0.072 to 0.236 h^-1 at 41.5°C, a temperature that completely inhibits the growth of the parental strain. The clones were categorised into two groups based on their respiratory competence or deficiency, the latter associated with mtDNA loss, an event seemingly

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Adria IE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11756353 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature