The molecular genetics of copper resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae — a paradigm for non‐conventional yeasts

Abstract 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 (CUP r ) 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.