Transcriptional heterogeneity shapes stress-adaptive responses in yeast

In response to stress, cells activate signaling pathways that coordinate broad changes in gene expression to enhance cell survival. Remarkably, complex variations in gene expression occur even in isogenic populations and in response to similar signaling inputs. However, the molecular mechanisms unde...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Nadal Ribelles, Mariona, Lieb, Guillaume, Sole Serra, Carme, Matas, Yaima, Szachnowski, Ugo, Andjus, Sara, Quintana Verdaguer, Maria, Romo, Mónica, Gonzalez Herrero, Aitor, Morillon, Antonin, Pelet, Serge, Nadal Clanchet, Eulàlia De, Posas, Francesc
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/219972
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/219972
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Estrès (Fisiologia)
Transcripció genètica
Stress (Physiology)
Genetic transcription
Descripción
Sumario:In response to stress, cells activate signaling pathways that coordinate broad changes in gene expression to enhance cell survival. Remarkably, complex variations in gene expression occur even in isogenic populations and in response to similar signaling inputs. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this variability and their influence on adaptive cell fate decisions are not fully understood. Here, we use scRNA-seq to longitudinally assess transcriptional dynamics during osmoadaptation in yeast. Our findings reveal highly heterogeneous expression of the osmoresponsive program, which organizes into combinatorial patterns that generate distinct cellular programs. The induction of these programs is favored by global transcriptome repression upon stress. Cells displaying basal expression of the osmoresponsive program are hyper-responsive and resistant to stress. Through a transcription-focused analysis of more than 300 RNA-barcoded deletion mutants, we identify genetic factors that shape the heterogeneity of the osmostress-induced transcriptome, define regulators of stress-related subpopulations and find a link between transcriptional heterogeneity and increased cell fitness. Our findings provide a regulatory map of the complex transcriptional phenotypes underlying osmoadaptation in yeast and highlight the importance of transcriptional heterogeneity in generating distinct adaptive strategies.