Biochemical genetics of trehalose metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibit alternative patterns of trehalose accumulation during growth on a glucose medium. The active pattern is designated as TAC(+) phenotype and the alternative, low-activity pattern as tac(-) phenotype. The tac(-) phenotype is expressed only during growth, since tac(-) strains actively accumulate trehalose during incubation in a glucose medium lacking a nitrogen source. The tac(-) phenotype appears to be determined by a single, recessive gene tac1. The quantitative expression of the dominant, alternative allele TAC1 is subject to wide variation. A highly active pattern of trehalose accumulation requires TAC1 and an amplification factor, TAM, which consists of one or more dominant gene(s). TAM does not appear to alter significantly the expression of tac1. Highly amplified TAC(+) strains may contain a labile factor not present in a TAC(+) strain which accumulates intermediate levels of trehalose.