Progress in the genomics and genome-wide study of sake yeast.

Completion of the whole genome sequence of a laboratory yeast strain in 1996 ushered in the development of genome-wide experimental tools and accelerated subsequent genetic study of . The study of sake yeast also shared the benefit of such tools as DNA microarrays, gene disruption-mutant collections, and others. Moreover, whole genome analysis of representative sake yeast strain Kyokai no.

Rice used for Japanese sake making.

Sake is a Japanese traditional alcoholic beverage made from rice and water. Recently, its export and its production in countries other than Japan have increased. In accordance, both the breeding and the cultivation of sake rice varieties have been extended to wide areas of Japan.

Breeding of a cordycepin-resistant and adenosine kinase-deficient sake yeast strain that accumulates high levels of -adenosylmethionine.

Adenosine kinase ()-deficient mutants can be obtained from cordycepin-resistant strains, and the disruption of causes -adenosylmethionine (SAM) accumulation. To breed a high-SAM-accumulating yeast strain without genetic manipulation for industrial purposes, we bred a cordycepin-resistant strain using sake yeast kyokai No. 9 as the parent strain with a mutation in adenosine kinase () and acquired high-SAM-accumulating strain.

Japan Wine, its characteristics and research.

A new rule stipulates that wine made in Japan from grapes harvested in Japan be labeled as "Japan wine". The main grape varieties for Japan Wine, Koshu for white wine and Muscat Bailey A for red, are unique to Japan. Koshu is native to Japan and its origin, long unknown, has recently been revealed through DNA analysis.

Identification of a mutation causing a defective spindle assembly checkpoint in high ethyl caproate-producing sake yeast strain K1801.

In high-quality sake brewing, the cerulenin-resistant sake yeast K1801 with high ethyl caproate-producing ability has been used widely; however, K1801 has a defective spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). To identify the mutation causing this defect, we first searched for sake yeasts with a SAC-defect like K1801 and found that K13 had such a defect. Then, we searched for a common SNP in only K1801 and K13 by examining 15 checkpoint-related genes in 23 sake yeasts, and found 1 mutation, R48P of Cdc55, the PP2A regulatory B subunit that is important for the SAC.

Methoxypyrazine Content of Japanese Red Wines.

Three 2-methoxy-3-alkylpyrazines (MPs) in Japanese red wine and grape samples were determined by GC-EIMS, using 2-methyl-3-n-propylpyrazine as an internal standard. MPs in the Cabernet Sauvignon red wines were derived not only from the pulp but also from other parts of the grape berries. All of the Cabernet Sauvignon red wines made annually from 1975 to 1994 contained 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine (isobutylMP), although those made from well-ripened grapes had a low isobutylMP level.

Purification and Properties of Acid Stable Xylanases from Aspergillus kawachii.

Five extracellular endo-xylanases were recognized in the culture broth of shochu koji mold (Aspergillus kawachii, IFO 4308), and three major xylanases (XylA, XylB, and XylC) were purified and characterized. The molecular masses of XylA, XylB, and XylC were 35,000, 26,000, and 29,000, and isoelectric points were pH 6.7, 4.