Creeping yeast: a simple, cheap and robust protocol for the identification of mating type in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an exceptional genetic system, with genetic crosses facilitated by its ability to be maintained in haploid and diploid forms. Such crosses are straightforward if the mating type/ploidy of the strains is known. Several techniques can determine mating type (or ploidy), but all have limitations. Here, we validate a simple, cheap and robust method to identify S. cerevisiae mating types. When cells of opposite mating type are mixed in liquid media, they 'creep' up the culture vessel sides, a phenotype that can be easily detected visually. In contrast, mixtures of the same mating type or with a diploid simply settle out. The phenotype is observable for several days under a range of routine growth conditions and with different media/strains. Microscopy suggests that cell aggregation during mating is responsible for the phenotype. Yeast knockout collection analysis identified 107 genes required for the creeping phenotype, with these being enriched for mating-specific genes. Surprisingly, the RIM101 signaling pathway was strongly represented. We propose that RIM101 signaling regulates aggregation as part of a wider, previously unrecognized role in mating. The simplicity and robustness of this method make it ideal for routine verification of S. cerevisiae mating type, with future studies required to verify its molecular basis. Haploid baker's yeast exhibits a 'creeping' phenotype when mixed with cells of opposite mating type, forming a robust mating type assay that depends on sexual aggregation via agglutinins and the RIM101 pathway.

Automated summary

This study validated a simple, cheap and robust method to identify Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating types. When cells of opposite mating type are mixed in liquid media, they exhibit a 'creeping' phenotype by crawling up the culture vessel sides, which can be easily detected visually. The RIM101 signaling pathway was found to play an important role in this process.