Cryptic DNA plasmids of the heterothallic yeast Saccharomycopsis crataegensis

Three DNA plasmids, designated pScrl-1, pScrl-2, and pScrl-3 have been found in a strain of the heterothallic yeast Saccharomycopsis crataegensis (NRRL Y-5902). pScrl-l, -2 and -3 are, respectively, 15, 7, and 5 kilobase pairs (kbp) in size. Based on the results of exonuclease digestions, all three plasmids appear to be linear molecules with blocked 5′ ends. All three plasmids also have a lower buoyant density than does nuclear DNA of S. crataegensis. The two lower molecular weight plasmids hybridize strongly with one another, but only weakly to the higher molecular weight plasmid. Two of four related S. crataegensis strains surveyed were found to contain two plasmids that are of the same size as the two larger plasmids of Y-5902. Evidence is presented indicating that the plasmids in strain Y-5902 reside in the cytosol since they were found not to be located within the major organelles (mitochondria and nuclei).