Infection by dsRNA viruses is associated with enhanced sporulation efficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Issue 1 (22nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Travers Cook, Thomas J.; Skirgaila, Christina; Martin, Oliver Y.; Buser, Claudia C.
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 12:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-01-22
• Subjects: dsRNA viruses -- host manipulation -- insect vectors -- mutualism–parasitism continuum -- phenotypic plasticity -- selfish genetic elements -- sexual reproduction -- yeast; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Upon starvation diploid cells of the facultative sexual yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergo sporulation, forming four metabolically quiescent and robust haploid spores encased in a degradable ascus. All endosymbionts, whether they provide net benefits or costs, utilize host resources; in yeast, this should induce an earlier onset of sporulation. Here, we tested whether the presence of endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses (M satellite and L‐A helper) correspond with higher sporulation rate of their host, S . cerevisiae . We find that S . cerevisiae hosting both the M and L‐A viruses (so‐called "killer yeasts") have significantly higher sporulation efficiency than those without. We also found that the removal of the M virus did not reduce sporulation frequency, possibly because the L‐A virus still utilizes host resources with and without the M virus. Our findings indicate that either virulent resource use by endosymbionts induces sporulation, or that viruses are spread more frequently to sporulating strains. Further exploration is required to distinguish cause from effect. Abstract : Sporulation in yeast is induced by starvation; resource exploitation by endosymbiont should induce earlier sporulation. We find that the presence of two dsRNA viruses is linked to enhanced sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . However, further research is required to determine whether high sporulation leads to infection or infection leads to higher sporulation.