Impact of CO2 overpressure on yeast mitochondrial associated proteome during the “prise de mousse” of sparkling wine production

Abstract

The “prise de mousse” stage during sparkling wine elaboration by the traditional method (Champenoise) involves a second fermentation in a sealed bottle followed by a prolonged aging period, known to contribute significantly to the unique organoleptic properties of these wines. During this stage, CO2 overpressure, nutrient starvation and high ethanol concentrations are stress factors that affect yeast cells viability and metabolism. Since mitochondria are responsible for energy generation and are required for cell aging and response to numerous stresses, we hypothesized that these organelles may play an essential role during the prise de mousse. The objective of this study is to characterize the mitochondrial response of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain traditionally used in sparkling wine production along the “prise de mousse” and study the effect of CO2 overpressure through a proteomic analysis. We observed that pressure negatively affects the content of mitochondrion–related proteome, especially to those proteins involved in tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, proteins required for the branched–amino acid synthesis, implied in wine aromas, and respiratory chain, also previously reported by transcriptomic analyses, were found over–represented in the sealed bottles. Multivariate analysis of proteins required for tricarboxylic cycle, respiratory chain and amino acid metabolism revealed differences in concentrations, allowing the wine samples to group depending on the time and CO2 overpressure parameters. Ethanol content along the second fermentation could be the main reason for this changing behavior observed at proteomic level. Further research including genetic studies, determination of ROS, characterization of mitochondrial activity and targeted metabolomics analyses is required. The list of mitochondrial proteins provided in this work will lead to a better understanding of the yeast behavior under these conditions of special interest in the wine industry.