AUTHOR=Yuan Zaizhu , Ge Zhengkai , Fu Qingquan , Wang Fangfang , Wang Qingling , Shi Xuewei , Wang Bin 

TITLE=Investigation of cold-resistance mechanisms in cryophylactic yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima based on comparative transcriptome analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1476087

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2024.1476087

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Low temperature inhibits the growth of most microorganisms. However, some microbes can grow well in a low temperature, even a freezing temperature.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>In this study, the mechanisms conferring cold resistance in the cryophylactic yeast <italic>Metschnikowia</italic> (<italic>M.</italic>) <italic>pulcherrima</italic> MS612, an isolate of the epidermis of ice grapes, were investigated based on comparative transcriptome analysis.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>A total of 6018 genes and 374 differentially expressed genes (&gt; 2-fold, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) were identified using RNA-Seq. The differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in carbohydrate and energy metabolism, transport mechanisms, antifreeze protection, lipid synthesis, and signal transduction. <italic>M. pulcherrima</italic> MS612 maintained normal growth at low temperature (5°C) by enhancing energy metabolism, sterol synthesis, metal ion homeostasis, amino acid and MDR transport, while increased synthesis of glycerol and proline transport to improve its resistance to the freezing temperature (−5°C). Furthermore, cAMP-PKA and ERAD signaling pathways contribute to resist the low temperature and the freezing temperature, respectively.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>This study provides new insights into cold resistance in cryophylactic microorganisms for maneuvering various metabolism to resist different cold environment.</p></sec>