Understanding the tolerance of the industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae against a major class of toxic aldehyde compounds

Authors: LIU, ZONGLIN

Submitted to: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2018
Publication Date: 5/3/2018
Citation: Liu, Z.L. 2018. Understanding the tolerance of the industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae against a major class of toxic aldehyde compounds. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 102(13):5369-5390. doi: 10.1007/s00253-018-8993-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8993-6

Interpretive Summary: During the past decades, a significant number of investigations have been carried out on the inhibitive effect and mechanisms of yeast tolerance against lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment inhibitory compounds. Haploid model laboratory yeast strains are commonly used in yeast studies for improved yeast performance due to their well characterized genetic background and readily available genetic tools. However, response and functions from laboratory yeast strains are sometimes disparate from the industrial yeast such as in genome expression, the rate of genome evolution, and performance of xylose utilization as a host for genetic engineering. The industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a workhorse for fermentation-based industrial applications. Counting on its plastic genome structure and the merit of robustness, it is believed the industrial yeast can serve as a better delivery vehicle for development of the next-generation biocatalyst for future bio-based economy. This study focuses on illustration of our current understanding on mechanisms of the tolerance for the industrial yeast specific against a major class of toxic aldehyde inhibitory compounds. The coverage is comprehensive yet specific focused on reproducible evidence and cross confirmed findings from different investigations using varied experimental approaches, including many first-hand observations. This research approaches a basic background toward a more comprehensive exposure on the yeast tolerance that will benefit the next-generation biocatalyst development.

Technical Abstract: Development of the next-generation biocatalyst is vital for fermentation-based industrial applications and a sustainable bio-based economy. Overcoming the major class of toxic compounds associated with lignocellulose-to-biofuels conversion is one of the significant challenges for new strain development. A significant number of investigations have been made to understand mechanisms of the tolerance for industrial yeast. It is humbling to learn how complicated the cell’s response to the toxic chemicals is and how little we have known about yeast tolerance in the universe of the living cell. This study updates our current knowledge on the tolerance of industrial yeast against aldehyde inhibitory compounds at cellular, molecular and the genomic levels. It is comprehensive yet specific mainly based on reproducible evidence and cross confirmed findings from different investigations using varied experimental approaches. This research approaches a rational foundation toward a more comprehensive understanding on the yeast tolerance. Discussions and perspectives are also proposed for continued exploring the puzzle of the yeast tolerance to aid the next-generation biocatalyst development.