title: The fungal aroma gene ATF1 promotes dispersal of yeast cells through insect vectors.
abstract: Yeast cells produce various volatile metabolites that are key contributors to the pleasing fruity and flowery aroma of fermented beverages. Several of these fruity metabolites, including isoamyl acetate and ethyl acetate, are produced by a dedicated enzyme, the alcohol acetyl transferase Atf1. However, despite much research, the physiological role of acetate ester formation in yeast remains unknown. Using a combination of molecular biology, neurobiology, and behavioral tests, we demonstrate that deletion of ATF1 alters the olfactory response in the antennal lobe of fruit flies that feed on yeast cells. The flies are much less attracted to the mutant yeast cells, and this in turn results in reduced dispersal of the mutant yeast cells by the flies. Together, our results uncover the molecular details of an intriguing aroma-based communication and mutualism between microbes and their insect vectors. Similar mechanisms may exist in other microbes, including microbes on flowering plants and pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium; VIB Laboratory of Systems Biology, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium; Centre for Human Genetics, KU Leuven School of Medicine, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joaquin F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Christiaens
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Genetics, KU Leuven School of Medicine, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; VIB Centre for the Biology of Disease, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium; VIB Laboratory of Systems Biology, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium.
authors.forename: Tanne L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Cools
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology and Systematics Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Charles Deberiotstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Meester
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michiels
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology and Systematics Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Charles Deberiotstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wenseleers
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Genetics, KU Leuven School of Medicine, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; VIB Centre for the Biology of Disease, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bassem A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: emre.yaksi@nerf.be.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yaksi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium; VIB Laboratory of Systems Biology, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium. Electronic address: kevin.verstrepen@biw.vib-kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Verstrepen
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D057506:Arthropod Antennae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D009812:Odorants; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D012903:Smell
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D011506:Proteins; C079238:alcohol O-acetyltransferase