Molecular characterization of <i>Candida boidinii GTS1</i> and its role in yeast proliferation in the phyllosphere

Gts1 is a pleiotropic regulator for stress response and metabolism in yeast. Here, we identified and characterized CbGTS1 from the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii. Deletion of CbGTS1 reduced yeast proliferation on plant leaves and decreased tolerance to high-salt stress. These findings demonstrate that CbGts1 contributes to yeast adaptation and survival under challenging phyllosphere environments.