Project presentation: investigating the evolution of regulation in yeast

Alterations in transcriptional regulation are considered major driving forces in divergent evolution. This is reflected in different species by the variable architecture of regulatory networks controlling highly conserved metabolic switches. The switch from glycolysis to gluconeogenesis and back that serves as an adaptive mechanism in response to changes in nutrient or oxygen supply in yeast is controlled by a conserved set of protein kinases and their downstream effectors. Apparentl, the wiring of these regulators has changed gradually during evolution. The goal of this project recently submitted to DFG is to uncover sequential steps in regulatory modules and, in the long run, the evolution of the transcriptional regulatory network controlling gluconeogenesis.