Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : Methylotrophic yeasts, named after their ability to grow on methanol as the sole carbon source, have raised large interest as recombinant protein factories. In this review, we explain the basic mechanisms underlying this interest and describe the minimal requirements to transform the two genera recognized as methylotrophic, Pichia and Candida, into a powerful protein production tool. We present a comparison between this group of yeasts and the conventional yeasts used as expression system in view of productivity, level of secretion and quality of post-translational modifications. Selected examples of recombinant protein produced by methylotrophic yeast are also included. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS and Société française de biochimie et biologie moléculaire. All rights reserved.