The secretion of antimicrobial proteins termed killer toxins is common among yeast species from diverse phylogenetic origin. Killer toxin-encoding genes may be localized either in the nucleus or on cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA or RNA molecules of viral ancestry. A number of distinct strategies are utilized by killer toxins to inhibit or kill competitors in a process typically initiated by binding of the toxin to a cell wall receptor. Some toxins target the cell wall itself, whereas others utilize a number of subsequent steps to reach the membrane or intracellular compartments. Finally, killer toxins interfere with vital cellular processes, such as cell wall and membrane integrity, DNA replication, or mRNA translation. In some cases, specific immunity mechanisms are required to prevent suicidal effects of toxin production. Killer strains, their toxins, or peptides derived from killer toxins have proven potential for different applications in human therapy or as antimicrobial agents in food and feed industries.

Yeast Killer Toxins: Fundamentals and Applications (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322906142_Yeast_Killer_Toxins_Fundamentals_and_Applications [accessed Mar 23 2018].