A positive selection for mutants lacking orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase activity in yeast: 5-fluoro-orotic acid resistance

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Abstract
Summary Mutations at the URA3 locus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be obtained by a positive selection. Wild-type strains of yeast (or ura3 mutant strains containing a plasmid-borne URA3 + gene) are unable to grow on medium containing the pyrimidine analog 5-fluoro-orotic acid, whereas ura3 − mutants grow normally. This selection, based on the loss of orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase activity seems applicable to a variety of eucaryotic and procaryotic cells.