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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Protein-based Inheritance in S. cerevisiae
Published on: August 8, 2017
Newly identified prions in budding yeast, and their possible functions.
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 320 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. e-crow@northwestern.edu
Yeast prions are protein-based genetic elements. This review summarizes known yeast prions and explores their potential roles in yeast biology, suggesting protein-based inheritance may be widespread.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Yeast prions are unique genetic elements transmitted via protein conformation.
- Key examples include [PSI+], [URE3], and [PIN+] in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Recent discoveries have expanded the known repertoire of yeast prions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics of various yeast prion elements.
- To discuss the potential functional significance of these prions in yeast.
- To highlight the growing evidence for protein-based inheritance in yeast.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published studies on yeast prions.
- Compilation and summary of characteristics for identified prion elements.
- Analysis of reported functional roles and implications.
Main Results:
- Several yeast prions ([SWI+], [OCT+], [MCA], [GAR+], [MOT3+], [ISP+], [NSI+]) have been identified recently.
- The increasing number of yeast prions supports the hypothesis of widespread protein-based inheritance.
- Each prion exhibits distinct characteristics and potential biological functions.
Conclusions:
- Protein-based inheritance is a significant biological phenomenon in yeast.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles of diverse yeast prions.
- Yeast prions offer a model system for studying non-Mendelian inheritance.
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