Abstract
Our own studies on the yeast killer phenomenon have been concentrated on its application for the differentiation of opportunistic pathogenic yeast isolates within the same species and its use as an epidemiological marker in nosocomial infections caused by yeasts. Our most recent investigations have led us to reevaluate the potential uses of this phenomenon, since it is now apparent that other microorganisms, unrelated to yeasts, are susceptible to the effects of these toxins. The yeast killer phenomenon can theoretically be used to study epidemiological aspects of any pathogenic microorganism, especially when other systems are not available. Monoclonal antibodies produced against a crude toxic extract of a killer yeast (Pichia anomala UCSC 25F) active against a large number of microorganisms were used to carry out a serological study on metabolic products of various yeasts with known and unknown genetic determinants of their killer characteristics. The extract itself had demonstrated a therapeutic effect in vivo when applied topically. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against these monoclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits. In vitro, these anti-Ids mimicked the action of the killer toxin used as immunogen in the production of monoclonal antibodies. The perspectives of investigations on yeast killer phenomenon are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Aidroos K., Bussey H. (1978): Chromosomal mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae affecting the cell wall binding site for killer factor. Can. J. Microbiol. 24: 228–237.
Bevan E.A., Makower M. (1963): The physiological basis of the killer character in yeast. In: Proceedings of the XIth International Congress of Genetics (The Netherlands), vol. 1, Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp. 202–203.
Bussey H. (1981): Physiology of killer factor in yeast. Adv. Microbiol. Physiol. 22: 93–121.
Bussey H., Sherman D. (1973): Yeast killer factor: ATP leankage and coordinate inhibition of macromolecular synthesis in sensitive cells. Biochem. Biophys. Acta 298: 868–875.
Bussey H., Skipper N. (1976): Membrane-mediated killing of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Torulopsis glabrata. J. Bacteriol. 124: 476–483.
Bussey H., Saville D., Hutchins K., Palfree R.G.E. (1979): Binding of yeast killer toxin to a cell wall receptor on sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J. Bacteriol. 140: 888–892.
Cataldi L., Morace G., Plotti G., Polonelli L., Tornesello A. (1983): Controllo epidemiologico e clinico delle infezioni da lieviti in un centro di terapia intensiva neonatale. Pediatria Oggi 3: 406–407.
Extremera A.L., Martin I., Montaya E. (1982): A new killer toxin produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curr. Genet. 5: 117–119.
Gunge N., Tamaru A., Ozawa F., Sakaguchi K. (1981): Isolation and characterization of linear DNA plasmid-associated killer character. J. Bacteriol. 145: 382–390.
Kandel J.S., Stern T.A. (1979): Killer phenomenon in pathogenic yeast. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 15: 568–571.
Marasco M.A., Becker E.L. (1982): Anti-idiotype as antibody against the formyl peptide chemotaxis receptor of the neutrophil. J. Immunol. 128: 963–968.
Middelbeek E.J., Stumm C., Yogels G.D. (1980): Effects of a Pichia kluyveri killer toxin on sensitive cells. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek J. Microbiol. Serol. 46: 205–220.
Middelbeek E.J., Peters J.G.M., Stumm C., Vogels G.D. (1980): Properties of a Cryptococcus neoformans killer toxin and conditional killing effect of the toxin on Cryptococcus albidus. FEMS Microbiol. Letts 9: 81–84.
Morace G., Archibusacci C., Sestito M., Polonelli L. (1984): Strain differentiation of pathogenic yeasts by the killer system. Mycopathologia 84: 81–85.
Morace G., Dettori G., Sanguinetti M., Manzara S., Polonelli L. (1988): Biotyping of aerobic actinomycetes by modified killer system. Eur. J. Epidemiol. 4: 99–103
Nepom J.T., Weiner H.L., Dichter M.A., Tardieu M., Spriggs D.R., Gramm C.F., Powers M.L., Fields B.N., Greene M.J. (1982): Identification of a hemagglutinin specific idiotype associated with reovirus recognition shared by lymphoid and neural cells. J. Exp. Med. 155: 155–167.
Palmer D.F., Kaufman L., Kaplan W., Cavallaro J.J. (1978): Serodiagnosis of mycotic diseases. pp. 7–18. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, III.
Phillishirk G., Young T.W. (1975): The occurrence of killer character in yeast of various genera. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek J. Microbiol. Serol. 41: 147–151.
Polonelli L. (1982): The killer phenomenon: a yeast epidemiological marker. Acta Microbiol. Hellenica 27: 411–438.
Polonelli L., Archibusacci C., Sestito M., Morace G. (1983): Killer system: a simple method for differentiating Candida albicans strains. J. Clin. Microbiol. 17: 774–780.
Polonelli L., Morace G. (1983): Yeast nosocomial infections. L'Igiene Moderna 79: 315–334.
Polonelli L., Castagnola M., Rossetti D.V., Morace G. (1985): Use of killer toxins for computer-aided differentiation of Candida albicans strains. Mycopathologia 91: 175–179.
Polonelli L., Lorenzini R., DeBernardis F., Morace G. (1986): Potential therapeutic effect of yeast killer toxin. Mycopathologia 96: 103–107.
Polonelli L., Morace G. (1986): Specific and common antigenic determinants of Candida albicans isolates detected by monoclonal antibody. J. Clin. Microbiol. 23: 366–368.
Polonelli L., Morace G. (1986): Reevaluation of the yeast killer phenomenon. J. Clin. Microbiol. 24: 866–869.
Polonelli L., Morace G. (1987): Production and characterization of yeast killer toxin monoclonal antibodies. J. Clin. Microbiol. 25: 460–462.
Polonelli L., Dettori G., Cattel C., Morace G. (1987): Biotyping of mycelial fungus cultures. Eur. J. Epidemiol. 3: 237–242.
Polonelli L., Morace G. (1988): Yeast killer toxin-like anti-idiotypic antibodies. J. Clin. Microbiol. 27: 602–604.
Saks D.L., Esser K.M., Sher A. (1982): Immunization of mice against African trypanosomiasis using anti-idiotypic antibodies. J. Exp. Med. 155: 1108–1119.
Saks D.L., Sher A. (1983): Evidence that anti-idiotypic induced immunity to experimental African trypanosomiasis is genetically restricted and requires recognition of combining site-related idiotopes. J. Immunol. 131: 1511–1515.
Sege K., Peterson P.A. (1978): Use of anti-idiotypic antibodies as cell-surface receptor probes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 75: 2443–2447.
Stumm C.J., Hermans M., Middelbeek E.J., Crues A.F., deVries G.J.M.L. (1977): Killer-sensitive relationships in yeast from natural habitats. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek J. Microbiol. Serol. 43: 125–128.
Tipper D.J., Bostian K.A. (1984): Double-stranded ribonucleic acid killer systems in yeasts. Microbiol. Reviews 48: 125–156.
Wickner R.B. (1983): Killer systems in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: three distinct modes of exclusion of M2 double-stranded RNA, M1, L-A-HN. Mol. Cell Biol. 3: 654–661.
Wickner R.B. (1985): Killer yeasts. In: M.R. McGinnis (ed) Current Topics in Medical Mycology, Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 286–312.
Young T.M., Yagiu M. (1978): A comparison of the killer character in different yeasts and its classification. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek J. Microbiol. Serol. 44: 59–77.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Polonelli, L., Morace, G. Killer systems and pathogenic fungi. Eur J Epidemiol 4, 415–418 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146391
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146391