title: Genetic resources of extremotolerant fungi: a method for identification of genes conferring stress tolerance.
abstract: Fungal species from extreme environments represent an underexploited source of stress-resistance genes. These genes have the potential to improve stress tolerance of economically important microorganisms and crops. An efficient high-throughput method for the identification of biotechnologically interesting genes of extremotolerant fungi was developed by constructing a cDNA expression library in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and screening for gain-of-function transformants under stress conditions. The advantages and possible modifications of this method are discussed, and its efficiency is demonstrated using the stress-tolerant basidiomycetous yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Twelve R. mucilaginosa genes are described that increase halotolerance in S. cerevisiae. These include genes encoding a phosphoglucomutase and a phosphomannomutase. All 12 investigated genes might be useful for the improvement of halotolerance in genetically modified crops or industrial microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. cene.gostincar@bf.uni-lj.si
authors.forename: Cene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gostinčar
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gunde-Cimerman
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turk
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D012248:Rhodotorula / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers