Differential transcriptional regulation of sulfur assimilation gene homologues in the Saccharomyces carlsbergensis yeast species hybrid

The allopolyploid yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis appears to be a relatively newly formed species hybrid, and therefore constitutes a good model for studying early steps in hybrid speciation. Using reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction to monitor derepression of the S. carlsbergensis homologues of the sulfur assimilation genes MET14 and MET2, we found that both homologues of these genes are regulated in the same pathway-specific manner, but surprisingly, with different kinetics, as the genes derived from one of the parent species (the non-Saccharomyces cerevisiae-like) are alleviated from repression much faster than the genes from the other parent (the S. cerevisiae-like). This probably reflects differing physiological adaptation of the parent species, and the finding may contribute to the general understanding of hybrid speciation.