title: Yeast killer systems.
abstract: The killer phenomenon in yeasts has been revealed to be a multicentric model for molecular biologists, virologists, phytopathologists, epidemiologists, industrial and medical microbiologists, mycologists, and pharmacologists. The surprisingly widespread occurrence of the killer phenomenon among taxonomically unrelated microorganisms, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens, has engendered a new interest in its biological significance as well as its theoretical and practical applications. The search for therapeutic opportunities by using yeast killer systems has conceptually opened new avenues for the prevention and control of life-threatening fungal diseases through the idiotypic network that is apparently exploited by the immune system in the course of natural infections. In this review, the biology, ecology, epidemiology, therapeutics, serology, and idiotypy of yeast killer systems are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Microbiologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Magliani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerloni
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bertolotti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Polonelli
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005800:Genes, Fungal / Q000502:physiology; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D007716:Kluyveromyces / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010843:Pichia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000502:physiology; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000502:physiology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D014588:Ustilago / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D014611:Vaccination; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D009183:Mycotoxins; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D012331:RNA, Fungal