High-frequency transformation of yeast: autonomous replication of hybrid DNA molecules

A set of vector DNAs (Y vectors) useful for the cloning of DNA fragments in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and in Escherichia coli are characterized. With these vectors, three modes of yeast transformation are defined. (i) Vectors containing yeast chromosomal DNA sequences (YIp1, YIp5) transform yeast cells at low frequency (1--10 colonies per microgram) and integrate into the genome by homologous recombination; this recombination is reversible. (ii) Hybrids containing endogenous yeast plasmid DNA sequences (YEp2, YEp6) transform yeast cells at much higher frequency (5000--20,000 colonies per microgram). Such molecules replicate autonomously with an average copy number of 5--10 covalently closed circles per yeast cell and also replicate as a chromosomally integrated structure. This DNA may be physically isolated in intact form from either yeast or E. coli and used to transform either organism at high frequency. (iii) Vectors containing a 1.4-kilobase yeast DNA fragment that includes the centromere linked trp1 gene (YRp7) transform yeast with an efficiency of 500--5000 colonies per microgram; such molecules behave as minichromosomes because they replicate autonomously but do not integrate into the genome. The uses of Y vectors for the following genetic manipulations in yeast are discussed: isolation of genes; construction of haploid strains that are merodiploid for a particular DNA sequence; and directed alterations of the yeast genome. General methods for the selection and the analysis of these events are presented.