The receptors of yeast killer toxins

This review is the second part of a previous work on the molecular structur es and physiological features of yeast killer toxins [Guyard et at., Journa l de Mycologie Medicale 2000;10:9-20]. Our knowledge concerning the biochem ical nature of yeast killer toxin receptors at the surface of sensitive yea st strains is summarized. This review underlines the antifungal processes o f yeast killer toxins encoded by nuclear genes or extra-chromosomal genomes after fixation on specific yeast killer toxin receptors, Different mechani sms can explain the yeast killer phenomenon such as modification of the pla sma membrane permeability, inhibition of the DNA synthesis, chitinase activ ity and arrest of the life cell cycle, or inhibition of the beta -glucan co mponents synthesis into the yeast cell wall. These mechanisms are specific for each killer toxin and not related to the species of the yeast killer st rain.