Regulation of Arginine Metabolism and Ethanol Tolerance in <scp><i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i></scp> by <scp><i>BTN2</i></scp>

Ethyl carbamate (EC), primarily formed by the reaction between urea and ethanol, is a natural carcinogen prevalent in fermented alcoholic beverages. Urea is an arginine metabolite produced by <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>. Previous studies have shown that <i>BTN2</i> influences arginine metabolism. In this study, we compared the effects of <i>BTN2-</i>modified strains on key metabolites, enzymes, and transcriptional gene expressions in the arginine metabolic pathway, and assessed cell growth and oxidative damage under different ethanol stresses. It revealed that the knockout of <i>BTN2</i> inhibited arginine intake and promoted urea reduction. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that <i>BTN2</i> regulate arginine transportation, catabolism, and urea degradation by modulating the expression of <i>GAP1</i>, <i>CAN1</i>, <i>CAR1</i>, and <i>DUR1,2</i>. Moreover, the results showed that <i>BTN2</i> enhanced ethanol tolerance and alleviated cellular damage. These findings provide a promising method for reducing arginine uptake by <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> and consequently urea accumulation in wine.