The Candida albicans XOG1 gene, previously shown to be a good reporter gene
in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and C. albicans, was tested in Schizosaccharom
yces pombe. Unlike the budding yeast, S. pombe does not produce exoglucanas
e activity and hence this system would be applicable to any given strain of
this organism. The XOG1 gene was located under the control of the nmt1 pro
moter and its functionality could be demonstrated even at high temperatures
(37 degrees C). The exoglucanase activity can be measured both in vivo and
in vitro by either a simple biochemical reaction (on cells or media) or by
flow cytometry, because the cells remain viable after the assay. (C) 1999
Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Sci
ence B.V. All rights reserved.