Expression of Eukaryotic Genes in Yeasts

Expression of eukaryotic genes in yeast has two main advantages (i) the yeast expression system contains many features of a eukaryotic expression system such as glycosylation or disulfide bond formation, and (ii) yeast is a very economical system. Yeasts are single cells, can be cultivated easily, feature fairly short doubling times, and require relatively inexpensive medium ingredients in many aspects they resemble bacteria. 

Just like E. coli, S. cerevisiae is a well-studied organism with a well-established genetic and molecular biology knowledge base. Commercial availability includes  

For eukaryotic genes, expression in insect cells (Baculovirus system) or mammalian cells (Chinese hamster ovary cells, cos7 monkey cells) is possible and is often more likely to lead to active protein than in bacteria or yeast owing to a more efficient posttranslational machinery. However, expression rates are very low and not feasible for production of biocatalysts. 

Once expression has been achieved, a good screening system for positive clones should be available - in all likelihood a convenient and accurate activity test, if possible even suitable for high-throughput screening. 

Brown (ed.), Molecular Biology Lahfax, Academic Press, New York, 1991. 

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