Fingerprinting of Yeasts by Protein Electrophoresis

Abstract

Total soluble cell proteins from 27 <i>Saccharomyces</i> strains used for commercial production of wine and two strains used for beer fermentations were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein banding patterns were used to `fingerprint9 strains. Different genetic groups of <i>S. cerevisiae</i> were distinguished. Protein patterns of strains within each group were closely related or even identical. We confirmed that <i>Saccharomyces bayanus, Saccharomyces uvarum</i>, and <i>Saccharomyces carlsbergensis</i> strains are synonyms of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>. The technique is suitable for characterizing and fingerprinting individual strains of <i>S. cerevisiae</i>. It may also contribute to chemotaxonomy of yeasts.