Navigation Links
Yeast missing sex genes undergo unexpected sexual reproduction
Date:5/24/2009

DURHAM, N.C. An emerging form of the pathogenic yeast Candida is able to complete a full sexual cycle in a test tube, even though it's missing the genes for reproduction. And it may also do so while infecting us, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers.

"Sex contributes to the Candida yeast species' evolutionary success," said Joseph Heitman, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis in the Duke Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and co-author of two papers that tell the story in Nature and Current Biology. "I think the fact that it has a complete sex cycle is likely to play a role in the evolution of drug resistance in this emerging pathogenic yeast species. "

Yeast infections are notoriously hard to treat and yeast are one of the most successful pathogens and commensals in nature, he said. A commensal is an organism that benefits from associating with another organism without affecting the other. Humans are susceptible to three types of yeast infection: thrush (in the mouth and throat), vaginal infection, and a sometimes fatal systemic infection of bloodstream and organs, such as the kidney.

In a paper published online May 24 in Nature, Heitman's team reports that eight Candida species which have a sexual cycle were missing many of the genes related to reproduction found in other species.

"The unrecognized sex cycle could mean we need to develop new treatments to combat what is really happening in humans infected by yeast," said co-author Jennifer Reedy M.D. Ph.D.

With co-author Anna Floyd, Heitman and Reedy explored the question further in a study appearing in the May 14 Current Biology. The major question was: how could the yeast sexually produce spores when they lack so many genes responsible for meiosis, the process of sexual cell division that reduces chromosomes to half their number in the progeny?
'/>"/>

Contact: Mary Jane Gore
mary.gore@duke.edu
919-660-1309
Duke University Medical Center
Source:Eurekalert

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Jungle yeast
2. New study reveals the protein that makes phosphate chains in yeast
3. Rhythmic genomics -- the yeast metronome and the walk of life
4. Commercial yeasts upgraded with an enzyme for biofuel production
5. Scientists study full protein content of bakers yeast
6. Genetic differences between yeasts greater than those between humans and chimpanzees
7. Caltech engineers build mini drug-producing biofactories in yeast
8. Gene-environment interaction in yeast gene expression
9. University of Toronto scientists map entire yeast genome
10. UCI and CODA Genomics collaborate to re-engineer yeast for biofuel production
11. Fossil evidence of missing link in the origin of seals, sea lions, walruses found in Canadian Arctic

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:11/30/2009)...or infection. Each binds a specific receptor on th...t cell to take up the pathogen. Normally, these re...xample the regulation of cell growth and wound hea...in the current issue of the " Journal of Molecular... for Listeria infections leading to listeriosis....
(Date:11/30/2009)... extended family over the holidays was slowly kill...mber 2009 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte...ou might be right. Here,s the good news: results f...tments that help keep autoimmune diseases like lup...cause researchers from the University of Connectic...
(Date:11/26/2009)...t distinctive residents. ,Everyone wants to unders...Michelle McComb from Florida Atlantic University. ...s their visual field has been enhanced by their we...cellent stereovision and depth perception. However...hought on this theory. In 1942, G. Walls speculate...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):It takes 2 to infect 2Seeing family for the holidays? Scientists discover how the stress might kill you 2Wide heads give hammerheads exceptional stereo view 2Psoriasis Cure Now Welcomes Institute of Medicine Report Urging Comparative Effectiveness Research on Psoriasis But Worries About Risk of Rationing 50467 1Psoriasis Cure Now Welcomes Institute of Medicine Report Urging Comparative Effectiveness Research on Psoriasis But Worries About Risk of Rationing 50467 2Excalibur International Marine 2849 25 Owned by EFT BioTech Holdings 29 Completes Inaugural Passenger Crossing of Taiwan Strait 12858 1Excalibur International Marine 2849 25 Owned by EFT BioTech Holdings 29 Completes Inaugural Passenger Crossing of Taiwan Strait 12858 2Excalibur International Marine 2849 25 Owned by EFT BioTech Holdings 29 Completes Inaugural Passenger Crossing of Taiwan Strait 12858 3Assessment of Bone Growth Stimulator Is Mixed 50462 1Assessment of Bone Growth Stimulator Is Mixed 50462 2Assessment of Bone Growth Stimulator Is Mixed 50462 3
...enhance chimpanzees’ cognitive abilities, accordin...nter at The Ohio State University. The study (1) ...es in a human cultural environment enhances their ...to understand how tools work. The findings have j...Animal Cognition. , The scientists compared three ...
...ave shown that common bacteria can deliver a valua...precisely position sensors, drugs or DNA for the e... , The approach represents a potential way to ove... of cells, where they could be used as an alterati..., a researcher at Purdue,s Birck Nanotechnology Ce...
...ost effective method yet to convert glucose, found...gar, to HFM, a chemical that can be broken into co... has been an elusive goal for the legion of chemis... root source for plastic, fuels and scores of othe...ive, nonpolluting renewable plant matter. , Scie...
Other Biology News:Nurtured chimps rake it in 2Bacteria ferry nanoparticles into cells for early diagnosis, treatment 2Bacteria ferry nanoparticles into cells for early diagnosis, treatment 3Plastic that grows on trees 2Plastic that grows on trees 3
(Date:11/30/2009)...Newswire-FirstCall/ -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVA... the Phase II clinical study of its trivalent seas... vaccine candidate in healthy adults 60 years of a...le-blind, active-controlled study is comparing the...fferent doses (15 mcg and 60 mcg) of Novavax,s tri...
(Date:11/30/2009)...PRNewswire-Asia/ -- WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX ),...cal-device research and,development outsourcing co...es,announced that it had been selected to the Del...ifth consecutive year. The list recognizes the 50,...edia, and telecommunications,industries based on r...
(Date:11/27/2009)... Cromoz Inc., located in Research T...anotube-based cancer drug delivery system in Hyder...hich have functional groups on the walls that allo...d in partnership with the Indian Institute of Kanp...s a drug delivery vehicle with the ability to targ...
(Date:11/25/2009)...swire/ -- Biotech firm Replikins Ltd., which has a... pandemic through the prediction, outbreak, and pr...its latest biochemical analysis of the virus. The ...ine Flu") virus has dropped from its peak of 3.7 (...he spring of 2009 to resting non-epidemic levels t...
Breaking Biology Technology:NOVAVAX Completes Enrollment in Phase IIa Study of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults 2NOVAVAX Completes Enrollment in Phase IIa Study of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults 3NOVAVAX Completes Enrollment in Phase IIa Study of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults 4WuXi PharmaTech Named in Deloitte Technology Fast 50 China 2009 List for the Fifth Consecutive Year 2North Carolina Based Cromoz Inc. Launches Carbon Nanotechnology for Target Drug Delivery System in Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad, India 2Biological H1N1 Vaccines: Too Little, Too Late 2Biological H1N1 Vaccines: Too Little, Too Late 3Biological H1N1 Vaccines: Too Little, Too Late 4Biological H1N1 Vaccines: Too Little, Too Late 5
... March 11 Pharmacopeia,(Nasdaq: PCOP ), an innov...ll molecule therapeutics, today announced that Dr....ficer, will deliver a corporate,presentation at th...ence.,The conference will be held March 17 - 20, 2...Massachusetts., Dr. Browne,s presentation will ta...
...ed in All Three Clinical Programs, Including Launc...cer Program-, TUSTIN, Calif., March 11 Peregrine...l stage biopharmaceutical,company developing monoc...epatitis C virus (HCV) infection, today announced ...year (FY) 2008 ended January 31, 2008. The,company...
...ant synergy opportunities by combining Mindray,s l...nd Datascope,s strong US-based ...l platform for Mindray,s international expansion i...pe, SHENZHEN, China, March 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-...d (NYSE: MR ), today announced a definitive,agree...
Other Biology Technology:Pharmacopeia to Present at the Cowen and Company 28th Annual Health Care Conference 2Pharmacopeia to Present at the Cowen and Company 28th Annual Health Care Conference 3Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 2Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 3Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 4Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 5Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 6Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 7Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 8Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 9Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 10Mindray to Acquire Datascope's Patient Monitoring Business for US$202 million 2Mindray to Acquire Datascope's Patient Monitoring Business for US$202 million 3Mindray to Acquire Datascope's Patient Monitoring Business for US$202 million 4Mindray to Acquire Datascope's Patient Monitoring Business for US$202 million 5Mindray to Acquire Datascope's Patient Monitoring Business for US$202 million 6
Mouse Anti-CKII beta Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated from Abcam
...ased selection system for recombinant identificati... survival, eliminating the need for costly color s...des close to 100% accuracy in recombinant selectio... colony picking. This cloning kit is customized a...
Anti-Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase from Roche Applied Science
F40 Pump Maintenance Kit from Bio-Rad
Biology Products: