Prey preference and cell wall-mediated resistance shape predation efficiency in Saccharomycopsis schoenii.

ABSTRACT: Microbial antagonism, including predation and competition, shapes microbial community diversity and dynamics. Saccharomycopsis schoenii, a unicellular predatory yeast, serves as a distinct model for bona fide fungal predation, characterized by penetration pegs that enable predation. This study examined prey preferences of S. schoenii within wine-associated yeast consortia and assessed the role of prey adhesion and cell wall features in modulating predation efficiency. Predation assays revealed species-specific dynamics, with Saccharomyces cerevisiae showing pronounced susceptibility and Torulaspora delbrueckii displaying resistance indicative of density-dependent prey switching. Expression of prey Flo-adhesins in S. cerevisiae did not affect predation outcomes, highlighting that prey adhes

SUBMITTER: Smith JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12857228 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature