A novel phenotype of eight spores asci in deletants of the prion-like Rnq1p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We report that a null rnq1 mutation in the yeast RNQ1 (YCL028w) prion-like gene of so far unknown function produces the doubling of spores in the asci. This phenotype is possibly due to the lack of inhibition by Rnq1p of an additional mitotic division during ascus formation. This novel phenotype termed “octopus asci” could be similar to prion [PIN+] phenotype.