A transcriptome analysis of Kluyveromyces lactis growing in cheese whey

Heterologous DNA-arrays from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used to study the changes of the Kluyveromyces lactis transcriptome when this yeast was grown in cheese whey (CW) rather than in synthetic media. The results revealed a complete rearrangement in the expression of genes related to glycosylation and secretion pathways when the growth medium was changed. The yeast system was also used to test the advantages of whey supplements as antioxidant protectors. Growth of K. lactis in CW did not cause an increase in transcription of genes related to glutathione biosynthesis. However, other genes, related to glutathione metabolism and the oxidative stress response, were over expressed in this medium.