Functional analysis of the MATB mating-type idiomorph of the dimorphic fungus Yarrowia lipolytica.

The whole MATA cassette from Yarrowia lipolytica, a dimorphic fungus, was replaced by the URA3 gene through a double homologous recombination. This MAT-less strain lost its mate capacity with A or B Y. lipolytica strains. Introduction of polymerase chain reaction-synthesized idiomorph MATB in a null strain of A locus by double homologous recombination gave rise to a "transsexual" B strain. Mating capacity of this engineered mutant was assayed using Y. lipolytica strains of either A or B mating type. Mating took place only with an A strain, demonstrating the MATB idiomorph functionality in a MATA phenotype. Our data suggest that specific downstream genes are responsible for the final A or B phenotypes present in all Y. lipolytica cells, independent of their MAT idiomorph phenotype.