Reference - PMID:42030144 - Gene loss, repression, amplification, and horizontal acquisition shape galactose/melibiose metabolism in fission yeast.
Reference summary
- PubMed ID
- PMID:42030144
- Title
- Gene loss, repression, amplification, and horizontal acquisition shape galactose/melibiose metabolism in fission yeast.
- Authors
- Du XM, Suo F, Du LL
- Citation
- Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2026 Apr 28;123(17):e2532532123
- Publication year
- 2026
- Abstract
- Natural variation in metabolism is a key driver of microbial adaptation. While galactose utilization is well studied in budding yeasts, it remains poorly understood in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe . Here, we reveal extensive natural variation in galactose utilization across S. pombe isolates-from complete deficiency (Gal - ) to exceptionally fast growth (Gal F ). Gal - strains fall into two classes: one with deletions of the gal gene cluster (via three distinct mechanisms) and another with intact but repressed gal genes. In contrast, Gal F is driven by an amplified gene cluster absent from the reference genome-the gal - mel cluster (GMC)-which also confers melibiose utilization (Mel + ). Mel + is exclusively linked to the GMC, except in one strain harboring a standalone melibiase gene. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that horizontal gene transfer may underlie these adaptive traits. Together, our work demonstrates how diverse mechanisms-gene loss, repression, amplification, and horizontal acquisition-shape metabolic diversity and ecological specialization in fission yeast.
