The molecular genetics of copper resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae--a paradigm for non-conventional yeasts.

After a short introduction on the historical background of the development of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model eukaryote, a review is given on the present state of genetics and molecular biology of copper resistance in S. cerevisiae. The gene CUP1 encodes a protein (copper metallothionein) of a molecular weight of 6570 dalton. The synthesis of this copper chelatin is induced by copper and is regulated at the level of transcription. Copper resistance (CUPr) is correlated with amplification of CUP1 and resulted in a higher copy number of this gene on chromosome VIII. Spontaneous meiotic alterations of the gene copy number have been studied.