Analysis and application of the mechanism for the high alcoholic fermentation performance of sake yeast

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25850065
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Daisuke Watanabe 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, バイオサイエンス研究科, 助教 (30527148)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 清酒酵母 / アルコール発酵 / RIM15 / メタボローム / UDP-グルコース

Outline of Final Research Achievements

High alcoholic fermentation performance of sake yeast strains is attributed to a loss-of-function mutation in the RIM15 protein kinase gene. In this study, we examined its effects on the intracellular metabolic profile and the gene expression, and found that impairment of the synthetic pathway of UDP-glucose leads to enhanced glycolysis/alcoholic fermentation. Thus, we first discovered a sake yeast-specific high fermentation mechanism. Furthermore, dysfunction of the RIM15 gene effectively improved the fermentation rates of the other industrial yeast strains. Our finding will aid in establishing a novel breeding technology for the artificial control of alcoholic fermentation performance by yeast cells.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学