Genome of saccharomyces cerevisiae and related yeasts

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related yeasts play a major role in wine alcoholic fermentations. These yeasts have genetic and physiological properties distinct from they laboratory counterparts. These properties are supported by genome variations that include alteration of the S. cerevisiae genome as well as the generation of hybrid genomes. Investigation of the architecture of Saccharomyces wine yeast genome have revealed important structural variations, some reflecting clearly the adaptation to the harsh wine environment. The genomic diversity results from exploitation of the many possible mechanisms underlying genome plasticity in yeast, including changes in ploidy, chromosomal translocations, nucleotides polymorphisms.The availability of new genome scanning technologies have greatly enhanced our knowledge on yeast genome and opened new opportunities to uncover the genetic basis of their technological properties. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. All rights reserved.