Natural trait variation across Saccharomycotina species

Johnson J-T Wang; Jacob L Steenwyk; Rachel B Brem

doi:10.1093/femsyr/foae002

Natural trait variation across Saccharomycotina species

FEMS Yeast Res. 2024 Jan 9:24:foae002. doi: 10.1093/femsyr/foae002.

Authors

Johnson J-T Wang¹, Jacob L Steenwyk², Rachel B Brem¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
² Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.

Abstract

Among molecular biologists, the group of fungi called Saccharomycotina is famous for its yeasts. These yeasts in turn are famous for what they have in common-genetic, biochemical, and cell-biological characteristics that serve as models for plants and animals. But behind the apparent homogeneity of Saccharomycotina species lie a wealth of differences. In this review, we discuss traits that vary across the Saccharomycotina subphylum. We describe cases of bright pigmentation; a zoo of cell shapes; metabolic specialties; and species with unique rules of gene regulation. We discuss the genetics of this diversity and why it matters, including insights into basic evolutionary principles with relevance across Eukarya.

Keywords: Saccharomycotina; phenotypic variationyeasts; yeasts.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Ascomycota* / genetics
Biological Evolution
Phenotype
Yeasts / genetics

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding