Killer yeast

A killer yeast is a yeast, such as certain strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that is able to secrete one of a number of toxic proteins lethal to susceptible cells of their own or similar species. The "killer toxins" are polypeptides that often function by creating pores in the cell membranes of the target. The yeast cells that produce the protein are intrinsically immune to its effects. Killer yeast strains can be a problem in commercial processing because they can kill desirable strains. The killer yeast system was first described in 1963. Study of the killer toxins helped to better understand the secretion pathway of yeast, which is similar to those of more complex eukaryotes. It also can be used in treatment of some diseases, mainly those caused by fungi.

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