Related Experiment Videos
Population structure and gene evolution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Erlend Aa1, Jeffrey P Townsend, Rachel I Adams
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.
FEMS Yeast Research
|August 2, 2006
Summary
Population genetic studies reveal distinct structures in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, separating oak forest and vineyard strains. Evidence suggests selection on genes like SSU1, important for wine yeast evolution.
Area of Science:
- * Evolutionary biology
- * Population genetics
- * Genomics
Background:
- * The Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex offers genomic data for evolutionary studies.
- * Population-genetic variation within Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a key model organism, remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate population-genetic variation and structure in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- * To analyze sequence variation across four key loci (CDC19, PHD1, FZF1, SSU1) in 27 natural isolates.
- * To identify potential ecological or geographical factors shaping population structure.
Main Methods:
- * Multilocus sequence analysis of CDC19, PHD1, FZF1, and SSU1.
- * Phylogenetic analysis of gene trees.
- * Examination of sequence polymorphism and evidence of selection.
Main Results:
- * Distinct population structure identified in S. cerevisiae, correlating with ecological origin (oak forest vs. vineyard).
- * Moderate recombination rates inferred from low gene tree conflict.
- * High polymorphism in SSU1 suggests diversifying selection, potentially linked to vineyard fungicide use.
- * Greater polymorphism observed in FZF1, a regulator of SSU1.
Conclusions:
- * This study is the first to demonstrate population structure in natural S. cerevisiae isolates using multilocus sequencing.
- * Ecological factors appear to play a significant role in differentiating yeast populations.
- * Evidence of historical selection detected on SSU1, highlighting its importance in the natural history of wine yeast.