Inhibitory mechanism of proline utilization by arginine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05504
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38060:Applied molecular and cellular biology-related
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Nishimura Akira 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 助教 (30781728)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: プロリン資化 / 塩基性アミノ酸 / トランセプター / Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae hardly assimilates proline during fermentation processes. Our previous studies showed that arginine induces endocytosis of the proline transporter Put4, resulting in inhibition of proline utilization. We first found that two basic amino acids, ornithine and lysine, inhibit proline utilization by inducing Put4 endocytosis in a manner similar to arginine. Our genetic screening revealed that the arginine transporter Can1 is involved in the inhibition of proline utilization. Intriguingly, the arginine uptake activity of Can1 was not required for the arginine-dependent inhibition of proline utilization. More importantly, our biochemical analyses revealed that Can1 activates signaling cascades of protein kinase A in response to extracellular arginine. Hence, we proposed that Can1 regulates proline utilization by functioning as a transceptor possessing the activity of both a transporter and receptor of arginine.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

約30年前から、プロリン資化抑制の解除を目指した研究例は存在するが、いずれの研究もプロリンの資化経路の強化を主眼に置いており、その効果は限定的であった。本研究成果を応用することで、これまでは想像もつかない新規な育種方法の提案が可能となり、プロリン高資化性酵母の構築が可能となる。プロリンが残存しないワインは個性的かつ高品質であることが期待されており、本研究が国内外の醸造業界に与える影響は多大である。