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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
08:13
Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast
Published on: September 26, 2025
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Unconventional Cell Division Cycles from Marine-Derived Yeasts
Lorna M Y Mitchison-Field1, José M Vargas-Muñiz2, Benjamin M Stormo2
1Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02354, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|October 15, 2019
Summary
Marine fungi, particularly black yeasts, exhibit unique cell division and growth patterns. These discoveries expand our understanding of fungal adaptability in extreme ocean environments.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Mycology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Marine fungi inhabit diverse oceanic environments, yet their diversity and functions remain largely unexplored.
- Black yeasts are known for their resilience in harsh conditions, including halotolerance, virulence, and stress resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diversity and cellular behaviors of fungi isolated from marine environments near Woods Hole, MA.
- To characterize the cell division and growth mechanisms of marine-derived yeasts, focusing on black yeasts.
Main Methods:
- Fungal isolation and culturing from marine samples (plankton, sponge, coral).
- Time-lapse, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy for observing cell morphology and division.
- Analysis of cell size control, division modes, and cell polarity.
Main Results:
- 35 unique fungal species across 20 genera were identified.
- Marine-derived yeasts, especially black yeasts, demonstrated significant plasticity in cell size, division, and polarity.
- Observed unconventional cell division, including combined budding and fission, multiple simultaneous buds, and sequential orthogonal septations.
Conclusions:
- Marine fungi, particularly black yeasts, possess novel cell division mechanisms distinct from traditional model yeasts.
- These findings suggest alternative pathways for eukaryotic cell cycle regulation, expanding the known repertoire of cellular behaviors.
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