FLO1 — Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c

Summary

YAR050W in Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c encodes a flocculin, a cell-surface protein belonging to the PA14/GLEYA domain family. The product localises to the fungal-type cell wall, including yeast-form and hyphal cell walls, the plasma membrane and extracellular vesicles. It is associated with calmodulin and hexokinase binding, and with numerous biological processes centred on cell adhesion, including flocculation, biofilm formation, cell-cell recognition and social behaviour. The gene is also linked to chitin anabolism, regulation of starch breakdown, ethanol fermentation, detection of symbiotic fungi and symbiont-mediated host perturbation. Phenotypic associations connect YAR050W to altered flocculation, mating efficiency, replicative lifespan, stress resistance and competitive fitness, as well as to traits such as flavonoid content, oxidative stress and light sensitivity. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence, though this is not established for YAR050W itself.