Functional expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae of the Lactococcus lactis mleS gene encoding the malolactic enzyme

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1995 Jan 1;125(1):37-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1995.tb07332.x.

Abstract

Malolactic fermentation, a crucial step in winemaking, results mostly in degradation by lactic acid bacteria of L-malic acid into L-lactic acid. This direct decarboxylation is catalysed by the malolactic enzyme. Recently we, and others, have cloned the mleS gene of Lactococcus lactis encoding malolactic enzyme. Heterologous expression of mleS in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was tested to perform simultaneously alcoholic and malolactic fermentations by yeast. mleS gene was cloned in a yeast multicopy vector under a strong promoter. Malolactic activity was present in crude extracts of recombinant yeasts. Malic acid degradation was tested during alcoholic fermentation in synthetic media and must. Yeasts expressing the mleS gene actually produced L-lactate from L-malate; nevertheless malate degradation was far from complete.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers
  • Fermentation
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Kinetics
  • Lactococcus lactis / enzymology*
  • Lactococcus lactis / genetics
  • Malate Dehydrogenase / biosynthesis
  • Malate Dehydrogenase / genetics*
  • Malate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • malolactic enzyme
  • Malate Dehydrogenase