Adaptation of yeasts to salt stress (Review)

Mechanisms underlying adaptation of various yeasts to salt stress were summarized. Stress response involves modulation of enzymatic activities and changes in gene expression. Elevated salinity of the environment can be regarded as a two-factor stress process that includes an osmotic component leading to loss of cellular turgor and a toxic component inhibiting a set of functions due to an increase in the intracellular concentration of Na+. Adaptation of yeast cells to these stress conditions obligatorily involves the accumulation of osmotically active compounds (mainly glycerol) to counterbalance an increased external osmotic pressure and the modification of plasma membrane transport systems to extrude Na+ from the cell.