Immobilizing proteins on the surface of yeast cells

Abstract

Yeast has a rigid cell wall comprising an outer layer of glycoproteins and an internal skeletal layer of glucan; heterologous proteins can be targeted to the glycoprotein layer and become covalently linked to the glucan skeleton. Yeast is a eukaryote that has 'generally regarded as safe' (GRAS) status, and is easy to cultivate, so it seems ideally suited for applications including the manufacture of recyclable, immobilized, biocatalysts, whole-cell vaccines, the presentation of peptide or antibody libraries, and the presentation of adhesion or metal-binding proteins.