The chemical genomic portrait of yeast: uncovering a phenotype for all genes

Science. 2008 Apr 18;320(5874):362-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1150021.

Abstract

Genetics aims to understand the relation between genotype and phenotype. However, because complete deletion of most yeast genes ( approximately 80%) has no obvious phenotypic consequence in rich medium, it is difficult to study their functions. To uncover phenotypes for this nonessential fraction of the genome, we performed 1144 chemical genomic assays on the yeast whole-genome heterozygous and homozygous deletion collections and quantified the growth fitness of each deletion strain in the presence of chemical or environmental stress conditions. We found that 97% of gene deletions exhibited a measurable growth phenotype, suggesting that nearly all genes are essential for optimal growth in at least one condition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Culture Media
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genes, Essential*
  • Genes, Fungal*
  • Genes, MDR
  • Genome, Fungal*
  • Genomics
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / drug effects
  • Multigene Family
  • Phenotype
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Small Molecule Libraries