Haploinsufficiency of the sex-determining genes at MATα restricts genome expansion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Application of unimodal probability distribution models for morphological phenotyping of budding yeast

Morphological phenotyping of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has helped to greatly clarify the functions of genes and increase our understanding of cellular functional networks. It is necessary to understand cell morphology and perform quantitative morphological analysis (QMA) but assigning precise values to morphological phenotypes has been challenging. We recently developed the Unimodal Morphological Data image analysis pipeline for this purpose. All true values can be estimated theoretically by applying an appropriate probability distribution if the distribution of experimental values follows a unimodal pattern. This reliable pipeline allows several downstream analyses, including detection of subtle morphological differences, selection of mutant strains with similar morphology, clustering based on morphology, and study of morphological diversity. In addition to basic research, morphological analyses of yeast cells can also be used in applied research to monitor breeding and fermentation processes and control the fermentation activity of yeast cells.

Artificial control of mating type and repeated mating to produce polyploid cells in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an excellent model for examining the effects of ploidy. Here, we provide a protocol for producing polyploid cells by creating a basic unit (matΔ) and polyploidizing it via repeated mating. We describe steps for basic unit construction by one-step transformation, increased ploidy via repeated mating, and ploidy confirmation using flow cytometry. This protocol can be broadly applied to evaluate the physiology of polyploid cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Oya and Matsuura (2022).1.