Cell-to-cell heterogeneity of phosphate gene expression in yeast is controlled by alternative transcription, 14-3-3 and Spl2.

Dependent on phosphate availability the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae expresses either low or high affinity phosphate transporters. In the presence of phosphate yeast cells still express low levels of the high affinity phosphate transporter Pho84. The regulator Spl2 is expressed in approximately 90% of the cells, and is not expressed in the remaining cells.