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''Lactobacilli'' usually don't have these MDT genes 'on', which is why a lot of strains won't do well with hops in the first batch of beer, but over time become more and more tolerant as they increase expression of the MDT's. The overall MDT expression level, in theory, determines the maximum resistance of the bacteria. In the case of my experiments, I'm looking for mutants whose MDT's are permanently stuck 'on' for the resistant strain and 'off' for the sensitive strain <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1143165635711649/?comment_id=1155715074456705&offset=0&total_comments=50&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D Conversation 2 with Bryan Heit on Milk The Funk regarding Lactobacillus hop tolerance. 09/28/2015.]</ref>.
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Hop resistance is generally due to the induced expression of "multi-drug transport" (MDT) genes, which are "pumps" that recognize the general chemical signature of membrane-disruptive compounds, and then pump them out of the cell. Other mechanisms may also be involved - a few papers have identified changes in the lipid make-up of the plasma membrane, which may increase stability. This change also occurs in response to alcohol (to improve stability), so its not clear if that particular change has anything to do with hop resistance.
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