Infection by dsRNA viruses is associated with enhanced sporulation efficiency in Saccharoymces cerevisiae

<p>Upon starvation, diploid cells of the facultative sexual yeast <em>Saccharoymces cerevisiae</em> undergo sporulation, forming four metabolically quiescent and robust haploid spores encased in a degradable ascus. All endosymbionts, whether they provide net benefits or costs, utilise host resources; in yeast, this should induce an earlier onset of sporulation. Here, we tested whether the presence of endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses (M satellite and L-A helper) correspond with higher sporulation rate of their host, <em>S. cerevisiae</em>. We find that <em>S. cerevisiae</em> hosting both the M and L-A viruses (so-called "killer yeasts") have significantly higher sporulation efficiency than those without. We also found that the removal of the M virus did not reduce sporulation frequency, possibly because the L-A virus still utilises host resources with and without the M virus. Our findings indicate that either virulent resource use by endosymbionts induces sporulation, or that viruses are spread more frequently to sporulating strains. Further exploration is required to distinguish cause from effect.</p>