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Brettanomyces bruxellensis: Overview of the hidden diversity and complexity of an anthropized yeast
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  • Jules Harrouard,
  • Chris Eberlein,
  • Patricia Ballestra,
  • Marguerite Dols-Lafargue,
  • Isabelle Masneuf-Pomarede,
  • Cecile Miot-Sertier,
  • Joseph Schacherer,
  • Warren Albertin
Jules Harrouard
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin

Corresponding Author:jules.harrouard@u-bordeaux.fr

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Chris Eberlein
GMGM
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Patricia Ballestra
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin
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Marguerite Dols-Lafargue
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin
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Isabelle Masneuf-Pomarede
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin
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Cecile Miot-Sertier
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin
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Joseph Schacherer
GMGM
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Warren Albertin
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin
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Abstract

Human-associated microorganisms are ideal models to study the impact of environmental changes on species evolution and adaptation. The yeast Brettanomyces bruxellensis is a good example of organism facing anthropogenic-driven selective pressures. It is associated with fermentation processes in which it can be considered either as a spoiler (e.g. winemaking, bioethanol production) or as a beneficial microorganism (e.g. production of specific beers, kombucha). Besides its industrial interests, noteworthy parallels and dichotomies with Saccharomyces cerevisiae propelled B. bruxellensis as a valuable complementary yeast model. In this review, we emphasize that the broad genetic and phenotypic diversity of this species is only beginning to be revealed. Population genomic studies have revealed the co-existence of auto- and allotriploidization events with different evolutionary outcomes. The various diploid, autotriploid and allotriploid subpopulations are associated with specific fermented processes, suggesting independent adaptation phenomena to anthropized environments. Phenotypically, B. bruxellensis is renowned for its ability to metabolize a wide variety of carbon and nitrogen sources, which may explain its ability to colonize already fermented environments showing low-nutrient contents. Several traits of interest could be related to adaptation to human activities (e.g. nitrate metabolization in bioethanol production, resistance to sulphite treatments in winemaking). However, phenotypic traits are insufficiently studied in view of the great genomic diversity of the species. Future work will have to take into account strains of varied substrates, geographical origins as well as displaying different ploidy levels. Finally, we discuss the characteristics of B. bruxellensis which may prove to be of wider interest in future research.
11 Oct 2021Submitted to Molecular Ecology
12 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
12 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
18 Oct 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
25 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Jan 20221st Revision Received
22 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
08 Mar 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Mar 20222nd Revision Received
16 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Accept