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Anhydrobiosis in yeasts: Psychrotolerant yeasts are highly resistant to dehydration
Author(s) -
Khroustalyova Galina,
Giovannitti Gaia,
Severini Daria,
Scherbaka Rita,
Turchetti Benedetta,
Buzzini Pietro,
Rapoport Alexander
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
yeast
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.923
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1097-0061
pISSN - 0749-503X
DOI - 10.1002/yea.3382
Subject(s) - cryptobiosis , biology , dehydration , yeast , desiccation tolerance , desiccation , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , botany
Yeast cells are able to transition into a state of anhydrobiosis (temporary reversible suspension of metabolism) under conditions of desiccation. One of the most efficient approaches for understanding the mechanisms underlying resistance to dehydration–rehydration is to identify yeasts, which are stable under such treatments, and compare them with moderately resistant species and strains. In the current study, we investigated the resistance to dehydration–rehydration of six psychrotolerant yeast strains belonging to two species. All studied strains of Solicoccozyma terricola and Naganishia albida were found to be highly resistant to dehydration–rehydration. The viability of S. terricola strains was close to 100%. Such results have not been previously reported in studies of anhydrobiosis in yeasts. The plasma membrane changes, revealed by determining its permeability under various rehydration conditions, were also surprisingly minimal. Thus, the high level of resistance of psychrotolerant yeast strains might be related to the chemical composition and molecular organisation of their plasma membranes. Aside from plasma membrane characteristics, other important factors may also influence the maintenance of yeast cell viability under conditions of dehydration–rehydration.