Transcriptional analysis of L-methionine catabolism in the cheese-ripening yeast Yarrowia lipolytica in relation to volatile sulfur compound biosynthesis.

Yarrowia lipolytica is one of the yeasts most frequently isolated from the surface of ripened cheeses. In previous work, it has been shown that this yeast is able to convert L-methionine into various volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that may contribute to the typical flavors of several cheeses. In the present study, we show that Y.

Gene expression and biochemical analysis of cheese-ripening yeasts: focus on catabolism of L-methionine, lactate, and lactose.

DNA microarrays of 86 genes from the yeasts Debaryomyces hansenii, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and Yarrowia lipolytica were developed to determine which genes were expressed in a medium mimicking a cheese-ripening environment. These genes were selected for potential involvement in lactose/lactate catabolism and the biosynthesis of sulfur-flavored compounds. Hybridization conditions to follow specifically the expression of homologous genes belonging to different species were set up.

Development of primers for detecting dominant yeasts in smear-ripened cheeses.

PCR primers were developed for the specific detection of Clavispora lusitaniae, Debaryomyces hansenii var hansenii, Geotrichum candidum, Kluyveromyces lactis and K. marxianus and Yarrowia lipolytica, yeast species commonly found on the surface of smear cheese. Forty eight representative strains frequently found in smear cheeses or taxonomically related to the target yeasts were used as templates, to validate the designed primers.

Transcriptional analysis of L-methionine catabolism in Brevibacterium linens ATCC9175.

The expression of genes possibly involved in L-methionine and lactate catabolic pathways were performed in Brevibacterium linens (ATCC9175) in the presence or absence of added L-methionine. The expression of 27 genes of 39 selected genes differed significantly in L-methionine-enriched cultures. The expression of the gene encoding L-methionine gamma-lyase (MGL) is high in L-methionine-enriched cultures and is accompanied by a dramatic increase in volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) biosynthesis.