Computational approaches for the genetic and phenotypic characterization of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast collection.

Within this study, we have used a set of computational techniques to relate the genotypes and phenotypes of natural populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using allelic information from 11 microsatellite loci and results from 24 phenotypic tests. A group of 103 strains was obtained from a larger S. cerevisiae winemaking strain collection by clustering with self-organizing maps. These strains were further characterized regarding their allelic combinations for 11 microsatellites and analysed in phenotypic screens that included taxonomic criteria (carbon and nitrogen assimilation tests, growth at different temperatures) and tests with biotechnological relevance (ethanol resistance, H(2)S or aromatic precursors formation). Phenotypic variability was rather high and each strain showed a unique phenotypic profile. The results, expressed as optical density (A(640)) after 22 h of growth, were in agreement with taxonomic data, although with some exceptions, since few strains were capable of consuming arabinose and ribose to a small extent. Based on microsatellite allelic information, naïve Bayesian classifier correctly assigned (AUC = 0.81, p < 10(-8)) most of the strains to the vineyard from where they were isolated, despite their close location (50-100 km). We also identified subgroups of strains with similar values of a phenotypic feature and microsatellite allelic pattern (AUC > 0.75). Subgroups were found for strains with low ethanol resistance, growth at 30 degrees C and growth in media containing galactose, raffinose or urea. The results demonstrate that computational approaches can be used to establish genotype-phenotype relations and to make predictions about a strain's biotechnological potential.

Anti-androgenic effects of sewage treatment plant effluents in the prosobranch gastropod Nucella lapillus.

Recent studies performed under laboratory conditions have shown that single exposure to high levels of several xenoestrogens is able to induce imposex in at least two neogastropod species. In an attempt to evaluate if xenoestrogens, at environmentally relevant conditions, do contribute to imposex induction, we have tested the effects of a mixture containing xenoestrogens (municipal sewage effluents) on imposex development in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus. Exposure for 3 months to the raw (0.25% and 1%) and the final sewage effluent (12.5% and 50%) rendered no increase in the severity of imposex. Conversely, as exposure to high concentrations of natural steroids, estradiol and estrone, had previously been shown to partially rescue imposex development under laboratory conditions, we have also tested if exposure to the final sewage effluent could ameliorated the severity of imposex induction by tributyltin (TBT). The results demonstrated that co-exposure to the final sewage effluent leads to a decrease trend in the severity of imposex in the presence of TBT. Within the studied imposex parameters, the Relative Penis Size index (RPSI) was the most affected with a 50% decrease in the effluent 12.5% plus TBT exposed group and 25% decrease in the effluent 50% plus TBT, if compared with the TBT alone. Overall, our results give further support to the use of imposex in N. lapillus as a specific biomarker of TBT contamination. However, in areas of high inputs of sewage effluents, the assessment of TBT contamination by the use of the imposex phenomenon should ideally also include data on the tissue levels of butyltins.