The Mode of Action of Toxic Protein in Wheat and Barley on Brewing Yeast

The mode of action of the toxic protein isolated from wheat on brewing yeast was investigated, and the following results were obtained: (1) The toxin inhibits respiration and fermentation of the yeast, and causes death of the cell in a few min (6 min) at a concentration of 4 ppm. (2) At a lower concentration (0.4 ppm), the toxin inhibits incorporation of sugars without causing death of the cells. (3) Potassium ion, phosphate ion, protein and nucleotides leak from the cell upon treatment with toxin at a lower concentration (0.4 ppm). (4) A directly proportional relationship exists between the lowest lethal concentration of the toxin and the yeast cell population. (5) The toxin is adsorbed onto the cell wall and cell membrane. According to these results, the toxin seems to react with functional site(s) of the cell membrane causing changes in the permeability of the membrane and resulting in cell death.