The protein expression profile and transcriptome characterization of Pichia caribbica induced by ascorbic acid under the oxidative stress

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, Vc) is a well-known antioxidant, which can eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in order to protect yeasts subjected oxidative stress. In our previous research, Pichia caribbica, one of the antagonistic yeasts showed an activity against postharvest diseases of apples, and Vc enhanced the tolerance to oxidative stress of P. caribbica, and improved its biocontrol efficacy to postharvest blue mold decay of apples. However, the mechanisms, especially the molecular mechanisms of the tolerance of P. caribbica improved by Vc under oxidative stress are not sufficiently clear. The purpose of this research was to investigate the protein expression profile and transcriptome characterization of P. caribbica induced by Vc under oxidative stress. The proteomics results showed that there were 31 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), among them 25 DEPs were up-regulated and 6 DEPs were down-regulated. These up-regulated DEPs were associated with the energy metabolism and glucose metabolism, including fructose – bisphosphate aldolase, malate dehydrogenase, peroxisomal catalase and so on. Transcriptomics analysis showed that 68 genes were differentially expressed, among them 38 genes were up-regulated and 30 genes were down-regulated. These up-regulated genes were found to be related to cell wall, energy synthesis, polysaccharides hydrolysis and antioxidant activity.