Specific gene probes as tools in yeast taxonomy

Summary The genePDC1 ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae coding for pyruvate decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.1.) was used as a hybridization probe to detect gene sequence homologies in different strains ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae and in other yeast species. Additionally six other genes coding for glycolytic enzymes as well as the genesURA3 of the pyrimidine synthetic andTRP1 of the tryptophan synthetic pathways were used. A restriction polymorphism for the BamH1 fragments carrying thePDC1 gene was evident within the speciesSaccharomyces cerevisiae. All strains definitely declared asSaccharomyces cerevisiae showed the same restriction patterns. Hybridizations of different intensities were observed only with species in the familySaccharomycetaceae. Hybridizations with different genes showed different degrees of conservation for certain DNA sequences.