Genetic aspects of targeted insertion mutagenesis in yeasts

Timing of Chromosome DNA Integration throughout the Yeast Cell Cycle

The dynamic mechanism of cell uptake and genomic integration of exogenous linear DNA still has to be completely clarified, especially within each phase of the cell cycle. We present a study of integration events of double-stranded linear DNA molecules harboring at their ends sequence homologies to the host’s genome, all throughout the cell cycle of the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, comparing the efficiency of chromosomal integration of two types of DNA cassettes tailored for site-specific integration and bridge-induced translocation. Transformability increases in S phase regardless of the sequence homologies, while the efficiency of chromosomal integration during a specific cycle phase depends upon the genomic targets. Moreover, the frequency of a specific translocation between chromosomes XV and VIII strongly increased during DNA synthesis under the control of Pol32 polymerase. Finally, in the null POL32 double mutant, different pathways drove the integration in the various phases of the cell cycle and bridge-induced translocation was possible outside the S phase even without Pol32. The discovery of this cell-cycle dependent regulation of specific pathways of DNA integration, associated with an increase of ROS levels following translocation events, is a further demonstration of a sensing ability of the yeast cell in determining a cell-cycle-related choice of DNA repair pathways under stress.

Homology length dictates the requirement for Rad51 and Rad52 in gene targeting in the Basidiomycota yeast Naganishia liquefaciens

Here, we report the development of methodologies that enable genetic modification of a Basidiomycota yeast, Naganishia liquifaciens. The gene targeting method employs electroporation with PCR products flanked by an 80 bp sequence homologous to the target. The method, combined with a newly devised CRISPR-Cas9 system, routinely achieves 80% gene targeting efficiency. We further explored the genetic requirement for this homologous recombination (HR)-mediated gene targeting. The absence of Ku70, a major component of the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway of DNA double-strand break repair, almost completely eliminated inaccurate integration of the marker. Gene targeting with short homology (80 bp) was almost exclusively dependent on Rad52, an essential component of HR in the Ascomycota yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. By contrast, the RecA homolog Rad51, which performs homology search and strand exchange in HR, plays a relatively minor role in gene targeting, regardless of the homology length (80 bp or 1 kb). The absence of both Rad51 and Rad52, however, completely eliminated gene targeting. Unlike Ascomycota yeasts, the absence of Rad52 in N. liquefaciens conferred only mild sensitivity to ionizing radiation. These traits associated with the absence of Rad52 are reminiscent of findings in mice.

Variation among Metschnikowia pulcherrima Isolates for Genetic Modification and Homologous Recombination

Metschnikowia pulcherrima is a non-conventional yeast with the potential to be used in biotechnological processes, especially involving low-cost feedstock exploitation. However, there are a lack of tools for researching it at a molecular level and for producing genetically modified strains. We tested the amenability to genetic modification of ten different strains, establishing a transformation protocol based on LiAc/PEG that allows us to introduce heterologous DNA. Non-homologous integration was broadly successful and homologous recombination was successful in two strains. Chemical inhibition of non-homologous end joining recombination had a modest effect on the improvement of homologous recombination rates. Removal of selective markers via flippase recombinase was successful across integrated loci except for those targeted to the native URA3 locus, suggesting that the genome sequence or structure alters the efficacy of this system.

Deletion of DNA ligase IV homolog confers higher gene targeting efficiency on homologous recombination in Komagataella phaffii

The non-conventional yeast Komagataella phaffii, formerly Pichia pastoris, is a popular host for recombinant protein production. The relatively lower gene targeting efficiency observed in this species occurs due to high levels of non-homologous recombination activity. In the current study, we explored the function of the K. phaffii homolog of DNA ligase IV (Dnl4p) by creating a DNL4-disrupted strain. To assess the roles of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-related proteins in this species, strains deleted for either or both genes encoding Dnl4p or the telomeric Ku complex subunit (Ku70p) were generated. These deletions were constructed by either of two distinct marker-recycling methods (yielding either a seamless gene deletion or a Cre-loxP-mediated gene deletion). The resulting dnl4- and/or ku70-deleted K. phaffii strains were used to evaluate gene targeting efficiency in gene knock-out and gene knock-in experiments. The Dnl4p-defective strain showed improved gene targeting efficiency for homologous recombination compared to the wild-type and Ku70p-deffective strains. The dnl4 ku70 double knock-out strain exhibited a further improvement in gene targeting efficiency. Thus, the K. phaffii dnl4 and dnl4 ku70 deletion strains are expected to serve as useful platforms for functional analysis and strain development in this species.

Development of a genetic transformation toolkit for Brettanomyces bruxellensis

Brettanomyces bruxellensis is usually considered a spoilage microorganism, responsible for significant economic losses during the production of fermented beverages such as wine, beer and cider, though for some styles of beer its influence is essential. In recent years, the competitiveness of this yeast in bioethanol production processes has brought to attention its broader biotechnological potential. Furthermore, the species has evolved key fermentation traits in parallel with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Attempts to better understand B. bruxellensis physiology through genomics-driven research have been hampered by a lack of functional genomics tools. Genetic transformation for B. bruxellensis has only been developed recently and with limited efficiency. Here we describe gene transformation cassettes tailored for B. bruxellensis, which provide multiple drug-resistant markers and the ability to tag B. bruxellensis with different fluorescent proteins. All marker cassettes resulted in increased transformation efficiency compared to the maximum reported in literature, with one cassette, TDH1p natMX, showing five times greater efficiency. Transformation cassettes encoding fluorescent proteins enabled discrimination between subpopulations of transformed B. bruxellensis cells by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. Thus, the genetic transformation toolkit described here unlocks several molecular applications such as strain tagging, insertional mutagenesis and potentially targeted gene deletion.

Primer Design and Inverse PCR on Yeast Display Antibody Selection Outputs

The display of antibodies on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells enables the high-throughput and precise selection of specific binders for the target antigen. The recent implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to antibody display screening provides a complete picture of the entire selected polyclonal population. As such, NGS overcomes the limitations of random clones screening, but it comes with two main limitations: (1) depending upon the platform, the sequencing is usually restricted to the variable heavy chain domain complementary determining region 3 (HCDR3), or VH gene, and does not provide additional information on the rest of the antibody gene, including the VL; and (2) the sequence-identified clones are not physically available for validation. Here, we describe a rapid and effective protocol based on an inverse-PCR method to recover specific antibody clones based on their HCDR3 sequence from a yeast display selection output.

Genome editing in Kluyveromyces and Ogataea yeasts using a broad-host-range Cas9/gRNA co-expression plasmid

While CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing has transformed yeast research, current plasmids and cassettes for Cas9 and guide-RNA expression are species specific. CRISPR tools that function in multiple yeast species could contribute to the intensifying research on non-conventional yeasts. A plasmid carrying a pangenomic origin of replication and two constitutive expression cassettes for Cas9 and ribozyme-flanked gRNAs was constructed. Its functionality was tested by analyzing inactivation of the ADE2 gene in four yeast species. In two Kluyveromyces species, near-perfect targeting (≥96%) and homologous repair (HR) were observed in at least 24% of transformants. In two Ogataea species, Ade- mutants were not observed directly after transformation, but prolonged incubation of transformed cells resulted in targeting efficiencies of 9% to 63% mediated by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). In an Ogataea parapolymorpha ku80 mutant, deletion of OpADE2 mediated by HR was achieved, albeit at low efficiencies (<1%). Furthermore the expression of a dual polycistronic gRNA array enabled simultaneous interruption of OpADE2 and OpYNR1 demonstrating flexibility of ribozyme-flanked gRNA design for multiplexing. While prevalence of NHEJ prevented HR-mediated editing in Ogataea, such targeted editing was possible in Kluyveromyces. This broad-host-range CRISPR/gRNA system may contribute to exploration of Cas9-mediated genome editing in other Saccharomycotina yeasts.

A Mitochondrial Autonomously Replicating Sequence from Pichia pastoris for Uniform High Level Recombinant Protein Production

Pichia pastoris is a non-conventional methylotrophic yeast that is widely used for recombinant protein production, typically by stably integrating the target gene into the genome as part of an expression cassette. However, the comparatively high clonal variability associated with this approach usually necessitates a time intense screening step in order to find strains with the desired productivity. Some of the factors causing this clonal variability can be overcome using episomal vectors containing an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS). Here, we report on the discovery, characterization, and application of a fragment of mitochondrial DNA from P. pastoris for use as an ARS. First encountered as an off-target event in an experiment aiming for genomic integration, the newly created circular plasmid named “pMito” consists of the expression cassette and a fragment of mitochondrial DNA. Multiple matches to known ARS consensus sequence motifs, but no exact match to known chromosomal ARS from P. pastoris were detected on the fragment, indicating the presence of a novel ARS element. Different variants of pMito were successfully used for transformation and their productivity characteristics were assayed. All analyzed clones displayed a highly uniform expression level, exceeding by up to fourfold that of a reference with a single copy integrated in its genome. Expressed GFP could be localized exclusively to the cytoplasm via super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, indicating that pMito is present in the nucleus. While expression levels were homogenous among pMito clones, an apparent upper limit of expression was visible that could not be explained based on the gene dosage. Further investigation is necessary to fully understand the bottle-neck hindering this and other ARS vectors in P. pastoris from reaching their full capability. Lastly, we could demonstrate that the mitochondrial ARS from P. pastoris is also suitable for episomal vector transformation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, widening the potential for biotechnological application. pMito displayed strong potential to reduce clonal variability in experiments targeting recombinant protein production. These findings also showcase the as of yet largely untapped potential of mitochondrial ARS from different yeasts for biotechnological applications.

Post-translocational adaptation drives evolution through genetic selection and transcriptional shift in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Adaptation by natural selection might improve the fitness of an organism and its probability to survive in unfavorable environmental conditions. Decoding the genetic basis of adaptive evolution is one of the great challenges to deal with. To this purpose, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been largely investigated because of its short division time, excellent aneuploidy tolerance and the availability of the complete sequence of its genome with a thorough genome database. In the past, we developed a system, named bridge-induced translocation, to trigger specific, non-reciprocal translocations, exploiting the endogenous recombination system of budding yeast. This technique allows users to generate a heterogeneous population of cells with different aneuploidies and increased phenotypic variation. In this work, we demonstrate that ad hoc chromosomal translocations might induce adaptation, fostering selection of thermo-tolerant yeast strains with improved phenotypic fitness. This "yeast eugenomics" correlates with a shift to enhanced expression of genes involved in stress response, heat shock as well as carbohydrate metabolism. We propose that the bridge-induced translocation is a suitable approach to generate adapted, physiologically boosted strains for biotechnological applications.

Integration event induced changes in recombinant protein productivity in Pichia pastoris discovered by whole genome sequencing and derived vector optimization

Background

The classic AOX1 replacement approach is still one of the most often used techniques for expression of recombinant proteins in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Although this approach is largely successful, it frequently delivers clones with unpredicted production characteristics and a work-intense screening process is required to find the strain with desired productivity.

Results

In this project 845 P. pastoris clones, transformed with a GFP expression cassette, were analyzed for their methanol-utilization (Mut)-phenotypes, GFP gene expression levels and gene copy numbers. Several groups of strains with irregular features were identified. Such features include GFP expression that is markedly higher or lower than expected based on gene copy number as well as strains that grew under selective conditions but where the GFP gene cassette and its expression could not be detected. From these classes of strains 31 characteristic clones were selected and their genomes sequenced. By correlating the assembled genome data with the experimental phenotypes novel insights were obtained. These comprise a clear connection between productivity and cassette-to-cassette orientation in the genome, the occurrence of false-positive clones due to a secondary recombination event, and lower total productivity due to the presence of untransformed cells within the isolates were discovered. To cope with some of these problems, the original vector was optimized by replacing the AOX1 terminator, preventing the occurrence of false-positive clones due to the secondary recombination event.

Conclusions

Standard methods for transformation of P. pastoris led to a multitude of unintended and sometimes detrimental integration events, lowering total productivity. By documenting the connections between productivity and integration event we obtained a deeper understanding of the genetics of mutation in P. pastoris. These findings and the derived improved mutagenesis and transformation procedures and tools will help other scientists working on recombinant protein production in P. pastoris and similar non-conventional yeasts.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0486-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Improved Gene Targeting through Cell Cycle Synchronization

Gene targeting is a challenge in organisms where non-homologous end-joining is the predominant form of recombination. We show that cell division cycle synchronization can be applied to significantly increase the rate of homologous recombination during transformation. Using hydroxyurea-mediated cell cycle arrest, we obtained improved gene targeting rates in Yarrowia lipolytica, Arxula adeninivorans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces lactis and Pichia pastoris demonstrating the broad applicability of the method. Hydroxyurea treatment enriches for S-phase cells that are active in homologous recombination and enables previously unattainable genomic modifications.

Triggering respirofermentative metabolism in the crabtree-negative yeast Pichia guilliermondii by disrupting the CAT8 gene

Pichia guilliermondii is a Crabtree-negative yeast that does not normally exhibit respirofermentative metabolism under aerobic conditions, and methods to trigger this metabolism may have applications for physiological study and industrial applications. In the present study, CAT8, which encodes a putative global transcriptional activator, was disrupted in P. guilliermondii. This yeast's ethanol titer increased by >20-fold compared to the wild type (WT) during aerobic fermentation using glucose. A comparative transcriptional analysis indicated that the expression of genes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and respiratory chain was repressed in the CAT8-disrupted (ΔCAT8) strain, while the fermentative pathway genes were significantly upregulated. The respiratory activities in the ΔCAT8 strain, indicated by the specific oxygen uptake rate and respiratory state value, decreased to one-half and one-third of the WT values, respectively. In addition, the expression of HAP4, a transcriptional respiratory activator, was significantly repressed in the ΔCAT8 strain. Through disruption of HAP4, the ethanol production of P. guilliermondii was also increased, but the yield and titer were lower than that in the ΔCAT8 strain. A further transcriptional comparison between ΔCAT8 and ΔHAP4 strains suggested a more comprehensive reprogramming function of Cat8 in the central metabolic pathways. These results indicated the important role of CAT8 in regulating the glucose metabolism of P. guilliermondii and that the regulation was partially mediated by repressing HAP4. The strategy proposed here might be applicable to improve the aerobic fermentation capacity of other Crabtree-negative yeasts.

Enhancement of the gene targeting efficiency of non-conventional yeasts by increasing genetic redundancy

In contrast to model yeasts, gene targeting efficiencies of non-conventional yeasts are usually low, which greatly limits the research and applications of these organisms. In this study, we aimed to enhance the gene targeting efficiency of non-conventional yeasts by improving the fitness of mutant strains, particularly by increasing the genetic redundancy of host cells. To demonstrate this process, OCH1 gene deletion in Pichia pastoris was performed. Extra copies of the OCH1 gene on a helper plasmid were provided for the P. pastoris GS115 strain before the native OCH1 gene in the genomic DNA was knocked out. The redundancy in OCH1 gene significantly eliminated the growth defects of the och1 mutant and increased the deletion efficiency of the OCH1 gene by two orders of magnitude with the same length of homologous flanks. The same strategy was used to delete the KU70 and SGS1 genes. The targeting efficiencies of KU70 and SGS1 were increased by 1- and 23-fold, respectively. Therefore, this study provided an efficient strategy for the deletion of "stubborn" genes in non-conventional yeasts. This study further showed that cellular fitness is potentially an important factor that can limit the efficiency of gene targeting.

Genetic characterization and construction of an auxotrophic strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae JP1, a Brazilian industrial yeast strain for bioethanol production

Used for millennia to produce beverages and food, Saccharomyces cerevisiae also became a workhorse in the production of biofuels, most notably bioethanol. Yeast strains have acquired distinct characteristics that are the result of evolutionary adaptation to the stresses of industrial ethanol production. JP1 is a dominant industrial S. cerevisiae strain isolated from a sugarcane mill and is becoming increasingly popular for bioethanol production in Brazil. In this work, we carried out the genetic characterization of this strain and developed a set of tools to permit its genetic manipulation. Using flow cytometry, mating type, and sporulation analysis, we verified that JP1 is diploid and homothallic. Vectors with dominant selective markers for G418, hygromycin B, zeocin, and ρ-fluoro-DL-phenylalanine were used to successfully transform JP1 cells. Also, an auxotrophic ura3 mutant strain of JP1 was created by gene disruption using integration cassettes with dominant markers flanked by loxP sites. Marker excision was accomplished by the Cre/loxP system. The resulting auxotrophic strain was successfully transformed with an episomal vector that allowed green fluorescent protein expression.

Deletion of the Pichia pastoris KU70 homologue facilitates platform strain generation for gene expression and synthetic biology

Targeted gene replacement to generate knock-outs and knock-ins is a commonly used method to study the function of unknown genes. In the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, the importance of specific gene targeting has increased since the genome sequencing projects of the most commonly used strains have been accomplished, but rapid progress in the field has been impeded by inefficient mechanisms for accurate integration. To improve gene targeting efficiency in P. pastoris, we identified and deleted the P. pastoris KU70 homologue. We observed a substantial increase in the targeting efficiency using the two commonly known and used integration loci HIS4 and ADE1, reaching over 90% targeting efficiencies with only 250-bp flanking homologous DNA. Although the ku70 deletion strain was noted to be more sensitive to UV rays than the corresponding wild-type strain, no lethality, severe growth retardation or loss of gene copy numbers could be detected during repetitive rounds of cultivation and induction of heterologous protein production. Furthermore, we demonstrated the use of the ku70 deletion strain for fast and simple screening of genes in the search of new auxotrophic markers by targeting dihydroxyacetone synthase and glycerol kinase genes. Precise knock-out strains for the well-known P. pastoris AOX1, ARG4 and HIS4 genes and a whole series of expression vectors were generated based on the wild-type platform strain, providing a broad spectrum of precise tools for both intracellular and secreted production of heterologous proteins utilizing various selection markers and integration strategies for targeted or random integration of single and multiple genes. The simplicity of targeted integration in the ku70 deletion strain will further support protein production strain generation and synthetic biology using P. pastoris strains as platform hosts.

PCRless library mutagenesis via oligonucleotide recombination in yeast

The directed evolution of biomolecules with new functions is largely performed in vitro, with PCR mutagenesis followed by high-throughput assays for desired activities. As synthetic biology creates impetus for generating biomolecules that function in living cells, new technologies are needed for performing mutagenesis and selection for directed evolution in vivo. Homologous recombination, routinely exploited for targeted gene alteration, is an attractive tool for in vivo library mutagenesis, yet surprisingly is not routinely used for this purpose. Here, we report the design and characterization of a yeast-based system for library mutagenesis of protein loops via oligonucleotide recombination. In this system, a linear vector is co-transformed with single-stranded mutagenic oligonucleotides. Using repair of nonsense codons engineered in three different active-site loops in the selectable marker TRP1 as a model system, we first optimized the recombination efficiency. Single-loop recombination was highly efficient, averaging 5%, or 4.0×10(5) recombinants. Multiple loops could be simultaneously mutagenized, although the efficiencies dropped to 0.2%, or 6.0×10(3) recombinants, for two loops and 0.01% efficiency, or 1.5×10(2) recombinants, for three loops. Finally, the utility of this system for directed evolution was tested explicitly by selecting functional variants from a mock library of 1:10(6) wild-type:nonsense codons. Sequencing showed that oligonucleotide recombination readily covered this large library, mutating not only the target codon but also encoded silent mutations on either side of the library cassette. Together these results establish oligonucleotide recombination as a simple and powerful library mutagenesis technique and advance efforts to engineer the cell for fully in vivo directed evolution.

Ends-in vs. ends-out targeted insertion mutagenesis in Saccharomyces castellii

Gene replacement (knock-out) is a major tool for the analysis of gene function. However, the efficiency of correct targeting varies between species, and is dependent on the structure of the DNA construct. We analyzed the targeted insertion mutagenesis method in the budding yeast Saccharomyces castellii, phylogenetically positioned after the whole genome duplication event in the Saccharomyces lineage. We compared the targeting efficiency for target DNA constructs in the respective ends-in and ends-out form. For some of the constructs S. castellii showed a similar high degree of homologous recombination as S. cerevisiae. In agreement with S. cerevisiae, a higher targeting efficiency was seen for the diploid strain than for the haploid. Surprisingly, a higher degree of targeting efficiency was seen for ends-out constructs compared to ends-in constructs. This result may have been influenced by the difference in the length of the homologous target sequences used, although long homology regions of 300 bp-1 kb were used in all constructs. Remarkably, very short regions of cohesive heterologous sequences at the ends of the constructs highly stimulated random illegitimate integration, suggesting that the pathway of non-homologous end joining is highly active in S. castellii.

Progress in metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The traditional use of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in alcoholic fermentation has, over time, resulted in substantial accumulated knowledge concerning genetics, physiology, and biochemistry as well as genetic engineering and fermentation technologies. S. cerevisiae has become a platform organism for developing metabolic engineering strategies, methods, and tools. The current review discusses the relevance of several engineering strategies, such as rational and inverse metabolic engineering, evolutionary engineering, and global transcription machinery engineering, in yeast strain improvement. It also summarizes existing tools for fine-tuning and regulating enzyme activities and thus metabolic pathways. Recent examples of yeast metabolic engineering for food, beverage, and industrial biotechnology (bioethanol and bulk and fine chemicals) follow. S. cerevisiae currently enjoys increasing popularity as a production organism in industrial ("white") biotechnology due to its inherent tolerance of low pH values and high ethanol and inhibitor concentrations and its ability to grow anaerobically. Attention is paid to utilizing lignocellulosic biomass as a potential substrate.

Studying mitochondria in an attractive model: Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, widely used for studies of cell cycle control and differentiation, provides an alternative and complementary model to the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for studies of nucleo-mitochondrial interactions. There are striking similarities between S. pombe and mammalian cells, in both their respiratory physiology and their mitochondrial genome structure. This technical review briefly lists the general and specific properties that are helpful to know when starting to use fission yeast as a model system for mitochondrial studies. In addition, advice is given for cell growth and genetic techniques, tips for disruption of genes involved in respiration are presented. and a basic differential centrifugation protocol is provided for the isolation of purified mitochondria that are suitable for diverse applications such as subfractionation and in vitro import.

Transgenic wine yeast technology comes of age: is it time for transgenic wine?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the main yeast responsible for alcoholic fermentation of grape juice during wine making. This makes wine strains of this species perfect targets for the improvement of wine technology and quality. Progress in winemaking has been achieved through the use of selected yeast strains, as well as genetic improvement of wine yeast strains through the sexual and pararexual cycles, random mutagenesis and genetic engineering. Development of genetically engineered wine yeasts, their potential application, and factors affecting their commercial viability will be discussed in this review.

Improved and versatile transformation system allowing multiple genetic manipulations of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis

We have recently developed a gene disruption system for the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis by utilizing a pyrF-deficient mutant, KU25, as a host strain and the pyrF gene as a selectable marker. To achieve multiple genetic manipulations for more advanced functional analyses of genes in vivo, it is necessary to establish multiple host-marker systems or to develop a system in which repeated utilization of one marker gene is possible. In this study, we first constructed a new host strain, KU216 (DeltapyrF), by specific and almost complete deletion of endogenous pyrF through homologous recombination. In this refined host, there is no need to consider unknown mutations caused by random mutagenesis, and unlike in the previous host, KU25, there is little, if any, possibility that unintended recombination between the marker gene and the chromosomal allele occurs. Furthermore, a new host-marker combination of a trpE deletant, KW128 (DeltapyrF DeltatrpE::pyrF), and the trpE gene was developed. This system made it possible to isolate transformants through a more simple selection procedure as well as to deduce the transformation efficiency, overcoming practical disadvantages of the first system. The effects of the transformation conditions were also investigated using this system. Finally, we have also established a system in which repeated utilization of the counterselectable pyrF marker is possible through its excision by pop-out recombination. Both endogenous and exogenous sequences could be applied as tandem repeats flanking the marker pyrF for pop-out recombination. A double deletion mutant, KUW1 (DeltapyrF DeltatrpE), constructed with the pop-out strategy, was demonstrated to be a useful host for the dual markers pyrF and trpE. Likewise, a triple deletion mutant, KUWH1 (DeltapyrF DeltatrpE DeltahisD), could also be constructed. The transformation systems developed here now provide the means for extensive genetic studies in this hyperthermophilic archaeon.