Discovery of a rapidly evolving yeast defense factor, <i>KTD1</i>, against the secreted killer toxin K28.

ABSTRACT: Secreted protein toxins are widely used weapons in conflicts between organisms. Elucidating how organisms genetically adapt to defend themselves against these toxins is fundamental to understanding the coevolutionary dynamics of competing organisms. Within yeast communities, "killer" toxins are secreted to kill nearby sensitive yeast, providing a fitness advantage in competitive growth environments. Natural yeast isolates vary in their sensitivity to these toxins, but to date, no polymorphic genetic factors contributing to defense have been identified. We investigated the variation in resistance to the killer toxin K28 across diverse natural isolates of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae population. Using large-scale linkage mapping, we discovered a novel defense factor, which we named

SUBMITTER: Andreev I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9974470 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature