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Chromosomal evolution in Saccharomyces

Nature volume 405, pages 451–454 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

The chromosomal speciation model invokes chromosomal rearrangements as the primary cause of reproductive isolation1. In a heterozygous carrier, chromosomes bearing reciprocal translocations mis-segregate at meiosis, resulting in reduced fertility or complete sterility. Thus, chromosomal rearrangements act as a post-zygotic isolating mechanism. Reproductive isolation in yeast is due to post-zygotic barriers, as many species mate successfully but the hybrids are sterile2,3. Reciprocal translocations are thought to be the main form of large-scale rearrangement since the hypothesized duplication of the whole yeast genome 108 years ago4,5. To test the chromosomal speciation model in yeast, we have characterized chromosomal translocations among the genomes of six closely related species in the Saccharomyces ‘sensu stricto’ complex6. Here we show that rearrangements have occurred between closely related species, whereas more distant ones have colinear genomes. Thus, chromosomal rearrangements are not a prerequisite for speciation in yeast and the rate of formation of translocations is not constant. These rearrangements appear to result from ectopic recombination between Ty elements or other repeated sequences.

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Figure 1: Electrophoretic karyotypes of the Saccharomyces ‘sensu stricto’ species.
Figure 2: Phylogenetic relationships between the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ‘sensu stricto’ species.

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Acknowledgements

We thank R. Borts and S. Chambers for helpful comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK

    G. Fischer & E. J. Louis

  2. National Collection of Yeast Cultures, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, NR4 7UA, Norwich, UK

    S. A. James & I. N. Roberts

  3. School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, 2.205 Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK

    S. G. Oliver

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  1. G. Fischer
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Correspondence to E. J. Louis.

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Fischer, G., James, S., Roberts, I. et al. Chromosomal evolution in Saccharomyces. Nature 405, 451–454 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35013058

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