A number of fungal proteins are capable of adopting multiple alternative, self-perpetuating prion conformations. These prion variants are associated with functional alterations of the prion-forming protein and thus the generation of new, heritable traits that can be detrimental or beneficial. Here we sought to determine the extent to which the previously-reported ZnCl₂-sensitivity trait of yeast harboring the [PSI⁺] prion is modulated by genetic background and prion variant, and whether this trait is accompanied by prion-dependent proteomic changes that could illuminate its physiological basis. We also examined the degree to which prion variant and genetic background influence other prion-dependent phenotypes. We found that ZnCl₂ exposure not only reduces colony growth but also limits chronological lifespan of [PSI⁺] relative to [psi⁻] cells. This reduction in viability was observed for multiple prion variants in both the S288C and W303 genetic backgrounds. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that under exposure to ZnCl₂ the expression of stress response proteins was elevated and the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism was reduced in [PSI⁺] relative to [psi⁻] cells. These results suggest that cellular stress and slowed growth underlie the phenotypes we observed. More broadly, we found that prion variant and genetic background modulate prion-dependent changes in protein abundance and can profoundly impact viability in diverse environments. Thus, access to a constellation of prion variants combined with the accumulation of genetic variation together have the potential to substantially increase phenotypic diversity within a yeast population, and therefore to enhance its adaptation potential in changing environmental conditions.

许多真菌蛋白能够采用多种替代性的，自我延续的病毒构象。这些病毒变体与the病毒形成蛋白的功能改变有关，因此与可能有害或有益的新的可遗传性状的产生有关。在这里，我们试图确定遗传背景和harbor病毒变异体对先前报道的[ PSI ⁺ ] ion病毒的酵母对ZnCl ₂敏感性特征的调节程度，以及该特征是否伴随着病毒依赖的蛋白质组学变化，阐明其生理基础。我们还检查了病毒变体和遗传背景影响其他病毒依赖表型的程度。我们发现ZnCl ₂曝光不仅降低了集落生长，但也限制了[实足寿命PSI ⁺相对于[] PSI ^- ]细胞。在S288C和W303遗传背景下，对于多种病毒变体均观察到了活力的降低。定量蛋白质组分析显示，在暴露于的ZnCl ₂应激反应蛋白的升高的表达和参与能量代谢蛋白质的表达在[减小PSI ⁺ ]相对于[ PSI ^-] 细胞。这些结果表明，细胞应激和生长缓慢是我们观察到的表型的基础。更广泛地说，我们发现病毒变体和遗传背景调节了病毒依赖的蛋白质丰度变化，并且可以深刻影响各种环境下的生存能力。因此，获得病毒变体群与遗传变异的积累结合在一起具有潜在地显着增加酵母种群内表型多样性的潜力，并因此增强其在变化的环境条件下的适应潜力。