Unveiling the super tolerance of Candida nivariensis to oxidative stress: insights into the involvement of a catalase

Abstract

Yeast cells involved in fermentation processes face various stressors that disrupt redox homeostasis and cause cellular damage, making the study of oxidative stress mechanisms crucial. In this investigation, we isolated a resilient yeast strain, Candida nivariensis GXAS-CN, capable of thriving in the presence of high concentrations of H 2 O 2 . Transcriptomic analysis revealed the up-regulation of multiple antioxidant genes in response to oxidative stress. Deletion of the catalase gene Cncat significantly impacted H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress. Enzymatic analysis of recombinant Cn Cat highlighted its highly efficient catalase activity and its essential role in mitigating H 2 O 2 . Furthermore, over-expression of Cn Cat in Saccharomyces cerevisiae improved oxidative resistance by reducing intracellular ROS accumulation. The presence of multiple stress-responsive transcription factor binding sites at the promoters of antioxidative genes indicates their regulation by different transcription factors. These findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing the remarkably tolerant C. nivariensis GXAS-CN or enhancing the resistance of S. cerevisiae to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of industrial fermentation processes. IMPORTANCE Enduring oxidative stress is a crucial trait for fermentation strains. The importance of this research is its capacity to advance industrial fermentation processes. Through an in-depth examination of the mechanisms behind the remarkable H 2 O 2 resistance in Candida nivariensis GXAS-CN and the successful genetic manipulation of this strain, we open the door to harnessing the potential of the catalase Cn Cat for enhancing the oxidative stress resistance and performance of yeast strains. This pioneering achievement creates avenues for fine-tuning yeast strains for precise industrial applications, ultimately leading to more efficient and cost-effective biotechnological processes.