Molecular and physiological characteristics of a grape yeast strain containing atypical genetic material.

The knowledge about wine yeasts remains largely dominated by the extensive studies on Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae. Molecular methods, allowing discrimination of both species and strains in winemaking, can profitably be applied for characterization of the microflora occurring in winemaking and for monitoring the fermentation process. Recently, some novel yeast isolates have been described as hybrid between S. cerevisiae and Saccharomyces species, leaving the Saccharomyces strains containing non-Saccharomyces hybrids essentially unexplored. In this study, we have analyzed a yeast strain isolated from "Primitivo" grape (http://www.ispa.cnr.it/index.php?page=collezioni&lang=en accession number 12998) and we found that, in addition to the S. cerevisiae genome, it has acquired genetic material from a non-Saccharomyces species. The study was focused on the analysis of chromosomal and mitochondrial gene sequences (ITS and 26S rRNA, SSU and COXII, ACTIN-1 and TEF), 2D-PAGE mitochondrial proteins, and spore viability. The results allowed us to formulate the hypothesis that in the MSH199 isolate a DNA containing an rDNA sequence from Hanseniaspora vineae, a non-Saccharomyces yeast, was incorporated through homologous recombination in the grape environment where yeast species are propagated. Moreover, physiological characterization showed that the MSH199 isolate possesses high technological quality traits (fermentation performance) and glycerol production, resistance to ethanol, SO2 and temperature) useful for industrial application.

Modeling signaling pathways leading to wrinkle formation: identification of the skin aging target.

BACKGROUND: In the present scenario, wrinkle formation, prominent sign of skin ageing, is one of the most demanding areas of research. This burgeoning research demand to reduce, delay and restore the effects of skin ageing has led to the study of various signaling pathways leading to wrinkle formation. Wrinkles appear on skin due to influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on mitogenic reactions and signal transduction pathways. AIM: The aim of the present study is to analyze each protein involved in the signaling pathway leading to dilapidation of collagen and an attempt has been made to compare different signal transduction pathways to identify a common target for skin ageing. METHODS: In the present work, bioinformatics tools have been used to extract information from already existing experimental data. The statistical techniques are used for further analysis and make useful predictions for skin ageing. RESULTS: Stressors like UV irradiation, osmotic stress and heat shock have been reported to activate epidermal growth factor receptor, interleukin 1 receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor and platelet activation factor receptor signaling pathways, which lead to the production of matrix metalloproteinases, collagen degradation and, consequently, wrinkle formation. When all the five signaling pathways were modeled, the c-jun part of the AP-1 transcription factor was found to be a common intermediate protein involved in all the signaling cascades. Moreover, it shows differential expression in the skin on response to stressors. CONCLUSION: We proposed c-jun to be the most potent target for drug designing against wrinkle formation.