Interactions between killer yeasts and pathogenic fungi

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1995 Apr 1;127(3):213-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1995.tb07476.x.

Abstract

A total of 17 presumptive killer yeast strains were tested in vitro for growth inhibitory and killing activity against a range of fungal pathogens of agronomic, environmental and clinical significance. Several yeasts were identified which displayed significant activity against important pathogenic fungi. For example, isolates of the opportunistic human pathogen, Candida albicans, were generally very sensitive to Williopsis mrakii killer yeast activity, whilst killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia anomala markedly inhibited the growth of certain wood decay basidiomycetes and plant pathogenic fungi. Results indicate that such yeasts, together with their killer toxins, may have potential as novel antimycotic biocontrol agents.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Fungi / drug effects
  • Fungi / pathogenicity*
  • Fungi / physiology
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Killer Factors, Yeast
  • Mycotoxins / pharmacology
  • Pichia / physiology
  • Plants / microbiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Yeasts / physiology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • KHR1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Killer Factors, Yeast
  • Mycotoxins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins