Hybridization of asporogenic strains of Hansenula polymorpha yeasts by protoplast fusion

Intrastrain and interstrain hybrids of different ploidy were produced by the fusion of protoplasts of Hansenula polymorpha haploid and diploid strains. The diploid hybrids were found to be stable in contrast to the triploid and tetraploid hybrids. The instability of the triploid and tetraploid states in Hansenula polymorpha was expressed in the elevated frequency of spontaneous formation of auxotrophic markers and in the decreased content of DNA per cell in the course of storage.