Whole-Genome Duplication and Yeast's Fruitful Way of Life

Abstract

Studies on the fate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae paralogous gene pairs that arose through a whole-genome duplication event have shown diversification of retained duplicated genes. Paralogous functional specialization often results in improved function and/or novel function that could contribute to the adaptation of the organism to a new lifestyle. Here, we analyze and discuss particular case studies of paralogous functional diversification that could have played a role in the acquisition of yeast fermentative metabolism.

Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; fermentative metabolism; functional diversification; paralogous genes; whole-genome duplication.