Trehalose metabolism: a new horizons in technological applications

Trehalose is responsible for the survival of anhydrobiotic organisms when under stress. Trehalose is a unique, non-reducing, extremely stable disaccharide which is able to protect proteins and membranes from damage caused freezing, high temperatures and dehydration. Yeasts accumulate large amounts of trehalose and constitue excellent models for studying the response of eurocaryotic cells to diverse stresses. The regulation of trehalose metabolism is reviwed and new technological applications for preservation of biological materials are discussed

Catabolite inactivation of trehalose synthesis during growth of yeast on maltose

1. The effects of catbolite inactivation upon the trehalose pathway linked to maltose utilization were investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutant strains devoid of UDPG-trehalose synthase activity were used in this study. 2. Trehalose accumulation was also susceptible to catabolite inactivation as has been reported for the carrier protein, one of the components of the maltose system. Reversibility was only achieved when incubation with glucose did not exceed 5 min and was dependent upon protein sunthesis