Genetic analysis of the role of cAMP in yeast

Bacterial signals N-acyl homoserine lactones induce the changes of morphology and ethanol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The bacterial quorum sensing signals N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signals are able to regulate a diverse array of physiological activities, such as symbiosis, virulence and biofilm formation, depending on population density. Recently, it has been discovered that the bacterial quorum sensing (QS) signal molecules can induce extensive response of higher eukaryotes including plants and mammalian cells. However, little is known about the response of fungi reacting to these bacterial signals. Here we showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as an ancient eukaryote and widely used for alcoholic beverage and bioethanol production, exposed to short-chain 3-OC₆-HSL and long-chain C₁₂-HSL appeared obvious changes in morphology and ethanol tolerance. AHLs could increase the frequency of cells with bipolar and multipolar buds, and these changes did not present distinct differences when induced by different types (3-OC₆-HSL and C₁₂-HSL) and varied concentrations (200 nM and 2 μM) of AHLs. Further investigation by flow cytometer displayed that the cells untreated by AHLs reduced cell size (decreased FSC) and enhanced intracellular density (increased in SSC), compared with the AHLs-induced cells after incubation 6 h. In addition, the long-chain C₁₂-HSL could slightly increase the ethanol tolerance of S. cerevisiae while the short-chain HSL obviously decreased it. Our study would be valuable to further research on the interaction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes, and be reference for industrial production of bioethanol.

Effects of heterologous expression of human cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3A (hPDE3A) on redox regulation in yeast

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes; however, the roles of protein kinase A (PKA) and human phosphodiesterase 3A (hPDE3A) remain unknown. Here, we show that yeast expressing wild-type (WT) hPDE3A or K13R hPDE3A (putative ubiquitinylation site mutant) exhibited resistance or sensitivity to exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), respectively. H₂O₂-stimulated ROS production was markedly increased in yeast expressing K13R hPDE3A (Oxidative stress Sensitive 1, OxiS1), compared with yeast expressing WT hPDE3A (Oxidative stress Resistant 1, OxiR1). In OxiR1, YAP1 and YAP1-dependent antioxidant genes were up-regulated, accompanied by a reduction in thioredoxin peroxidase. In OxiS1, expression of YAP1 and YAP1-dependent genes was impaired, and the thioredoxin system malfunctioned. H₂O₂ increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-hydrolyzing activity of WT hPDE3A, but not K13R hPDE3A, through PKA-dependent phosphorylation of hPDE3A, which was correlated with its ubiquitinylation. The changes in antioxidant gene expression did not directly correlate with differences in cAMP-PKA signaling. Despite differences in their capacities to hydrolyze cAMP, total cAMP levels among OxiR1, OxiS1, and mock were similar; PKA activity, however, was lower in OxiS1 than in OxiR1 or mock. During exposure to H₂O₂, however, Sch9p activity, a target of Rapamycin complex 1-regulated Rps6 kinase and negative-regulator of PKA, was rapidly reduced in OxiR1, and Tpk1p, a PKA catalytic subunit, was diffusely spread throughout the cytosol, with PKA activation. In OxiS1, Sch9p activity was unchanged during exposure to H₂O₂, consistent with reduced activation of PKA. These results suggest that, during oxidative stress, TOR-Sch9 signaling might regulate PKA activity, and that post-translational modifications of hPDE3A are critical in its regulation of cellular recovery from oxidative stress.

Glycogen catabolism, but not its biosynthesis, affects virulence of Fusarium oxysporum on the plant host

The role of glycogen metabolism was investigated in the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Targeted inactivation was performed of genes responsible for glycogen biosynthesis: gnn1 encoding glycogenin, gls1 encoding glycogen synthase, and gbe1 encoding glycogen branching enzyme. Moreover genes involved in glycogen catabolism were deleted: gph1 encoding glycogen phosphorylase and gdb1 encoding glycogen de-branching enzyme. Glycogen reserves increased steadily during growth of the wild type strain in axenic cultures, to reach up to 1500μg glucose equivalents mg(-1) protein after 14 days. Glycogen accumulation was abolished in mutants lacking biosynthesis genes, whereas it increased by 20-40% or 80%, respectively, in the single and double mutants affected in catabolic genes. Transcript levels of glycogen metabolism genes during tomato plant infection peaked at four days post inoculation, similar to the results observed during axenic culture. Significant differences were observed between gdb mutants and the wild type strain for vegetative hyphal fusion ability. The single mutants defective in glycogen metabolism showed similar levels of virulence in the invertebrate animal model Galleria mellonella. Interestingly, the deletion of gdb1 reduced virulence on the plant host up to 40% compared to the wild type in single and in double mutant backgrounds, whereas the other mutants showed the virulence at the wild-type level.

Transmembrane signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model for signaling in metazoans: state of the art after 25 years

In the very first article that appeared in Cellular Signalling, published in its inaugural issue in October 1989, we reviewed signal transduction pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although this yeast was already a powerful model organism for the study of cellular processes, it was not yet a valuable instrument for the investigation of signaling cascades. In 1989, therefore, we discussed only two pathways, the Ras/cAMP and the mating (Fus3) signaling cascades. The pivotal findings concerning those pathways undoubtedly contributed to the realization that yeast is a relevant model for understanding signal transduction in higher eukaryotes. Consequently, the last 25 years have witnessed the discovery of many signal transduction pathways in S. cerevisiae, including the high osmotic glycerol (Hog1), Stl2/Mpk1 and Smk1 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways, the TOR, AMPK/Snf1, SPS, PLC1 and Pkr/Gcn2 cascades, and systems that sense and respond to various types of stress. For many cascades, orthologous pathways were identified in mammals following their discovery in yeast. Here we review advances in the understanding of signaling in S. cerevisiae over the last 25 years. When all pathways are analyzed together, some prominent themes emerge. First, wiring of signaling cascades may not be identical in all S. cerevisiae strains, but is probably specific to each genetic background. This situation complicates attempts to decipher and generalize these webs of reactions. Secondly, the Ras/cAMP and the TOR cascades are pivotal pathways that affect all processes of the life of the yeast cell, whereas the yeast MAP kinase pathways are not essential. Yeast cells deficient in all MAP kinases proliferate normally. Another theme is the existence of central molecular hubs, either as single proteins (e.g., Msn2/4, Flo11) or as multisubunit complexes (e.g., TORC1/2), which are controlled by numerous pathways and in turn determine the fate of the cell. It is also apparent that lipid signaling is less developed in yeast than in higher eukaryotes. Finally, feedback regulatory mechanisms seem to be at least as important and powerful as the pathways themselves. In the final chapter of this essay we dare to imagine the essence of our next review on signaling in yeast, to be published on the 50th anniversary of Cellular Signalling in 2039.

Ras/cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) regulates multiple aspects of cellular events by phosphorylating the Whi3 cell cycle regulator in budding yeast

The Start/G1 phase in the cell cycle is an important period during which cells determine their developmental fate, onset of mitotic progression, or the switch to developmental stages in response to both external and internal signals. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Whi3, a negative regulator of the G1 cyclins, has been identified as a positive regulator of cell size control and is involved in the regulation of Start. However, the regulatory pathway of Whi3 governing the response to multiple signals remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Whi3 is phosphorylated by the Ras/cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and that phosphorylation of Ser-568 in Whi3 by PKA plays an inhibitory role in Whi3 function. Phosphorylation of Whi3 by PKA led to its decreased interaction with CLN3 G1 cyclin mRNA and was required for the promotion of G1/S progression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the phosphomimetic S568D mutation of Whi3 prevented the developmental fate switch to sporulation or invasive growth. Thus, PKA modulated the function of Whi3 by phosphorylation, thus implicating PKA-mediated modulation of Whi3 in multiple cellular events.

In vivo phosphorylation of Ser21 and Ser83 during nutrient-induced activation of the yeast protein kinase A (PKA) target trehalase

The readdition of an essential nutrient to starved, fermenting cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae triggers rapid activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Trehalase is activated 5–10-fold within minutes and has been used as a convenient reporter for rapid activation of PKA in vivo. Although trehalase can be phosphorylated and activated by PKA in vitro, demonstration of phosphorylation during nutrient activation in vivo has been lacking. We now show, using phosphospecific antibodies, that glucose and nitrogen activation of trehalase in vivo is associated with phosphorylation of Ser²¹ and Ser⁸³. Unexpectedly, mutants with reduced PKA activity show constitutive phosphorylation despite reduced trehalase activation. The same phenotype was observed upon deletion of the catalytic subunits of yeast protein phosphatase 2A, suggesting that lower PKA activity causes reduced trehalase dephosphorylation. Hence, phosphorylation of trehalase in vivo is not sufficient for activation. Deletion of the inhibitor Dcs1 causes constitutive trehalase activation and phosphorylation. It also enhances binding of trehalase to the 14-3-3 proteins Bmh1 and Bmh2, suggesting that Dcs1 inhibits by preventing 14-3-3 binding. Deletion of Bmh1 and Bmh2 eliminates both trehalase activation and phosphorylation. Our results reveal that trehalase activation in vivo is associated with phosphorylation of typical PKA sites and thus establish the enzyme as a reliable read-out for nutrient activation of PKA in vivo.

Glucose, nitrogen, and phosphate repletion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: common transcriptional responses to different nutrient signals

Saccharomyces cerevisiae are able to control growth in response to changes in nutrient availability. The limitation for single macronutrients, including nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P), produces stable arrest in G1/G0. Restoration of the limiting nutrient quickly restores growth. It has been shown that glucose (G) depletion/repletion very rapidly alters the levels of more than 2000 transcripts by at least 2-fold, a large portion of which are involved with either protein production in growth or stress responses in starvation. Although the signals generated by G, N, and P are thought to be quite distinct, we tested the hypothesis that depletion and repletion of any of these three nutrients would affect a common core set of genes as part of a generalized response to conditions that promote growth and quiescence. We found that the response to depletion of G, N, or P produced similar quiescent states with largely similar transcriptomes. As we predicted, repletion of each of the nutrients G, N, or P induced a large (501) common core set of genes and repressed a large (616) common gene set. Each nutrient also produced nutrient-specific transcript changes. The transcriptional responses to each of the three nutrients depended on cAMP and, to a lesser extent, the TOR pathway. All three nutrients stimulated cAMP production within minutes of repletion, and artificially increasing cAMP levels was sufficient to replicate much of the core transcriptional response. The recently identified transceptors Gap1, Mep1, Mep2, and Mep3, as well as Pho84, all played some role in the core transcriptional responses to N or P. As expected, we found some evidence of cross talk between nutrient signals, yet each nutrient sends distinct signals.

The Ras/protein kinase A pathway acts in parallel with the Mob2/Cbk1 pathway to effect cell cycle progression and proper bud site selection

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ras proteins connect nutrient availability to cell growth through regulation of protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Ras proteins also have PKA-independent functions in mitosis and actin repolarization. We have found that mutations in MOB2 or CBK1 confer a slow-growth phenotype in a ras2Delta background. The slow-growth phenotype of mob2Delta ras2Delta cells results from a G1 delay that is accompanied by an increase in size, suggesting a G1/S role for Ras not previously described. In addition, mob2Delta strains have imprecise bud site selection, a defect exacerbated by deletion of RAS2. Mob2 and Cbk1 act to properly localize Ace2, a transcription factor that directs daughter cell-specific transcription of several genes. The growth and budding phenotypes of the double-deletion strains are Ace2 independent but are suppressed by overexpression of the PKA catalytic subunit, Tpk1. From these observations, we conclude that the PKA pathway and Mob2/Cbk1 act in parallel to determine bud site selection and promote cell cycle progression.

"Sleeping beauty": quiescence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cells of organisms as diverse as bacteria and humans can enter stable, nonproliferating quiescent states. Quiescent cells of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms can survive for long periods without nutrients. This alternative state of cells is still poorly understood, yet much benefit is to be gained by understanding it both scientifically and with reference to human health. Here, we review our knowledge of one "model" quiescent cell population, in cultures of yeast grown to stationary phase in rich media. We outline the importance of understanding quiescence, summarize the properties of quiescent yeast cells, and clarify some definitions of the state. We propose that the processes by which a cell enters into, maintains viability in, and exits from quiescence are best viewed as an environmentally triggered cycle: the cell quiescence cycle. We synthesize what is known about the mechanisms by which yeast cells enter into quiescence, including the possible roles of the protein kinase A, TOR, protein kinase C, and Snf1p pathways. We also discuss selected mechanisms by which quiescent cells maintain viability, including metabolism, protein modification, and redox homeostasis. Finally, we outline what is known about the process by which cells exit from quiescence when nutrients again become available.

Isolation and characterization of a freeze-tolerant diploid derivative of an industrial baker's yeast strain and its use in frozen doughs

The routine production and storage of frozen doughs are still problematic. Although commercial baker's yeast is highly resistant to environmental stress conditions, it rapidly loses stress resistance during dough preparation due to the initiation of fermentation. As a result, the yeast loses gassing power significantly during storage of frozen doughs. We obtained freeze-tolerant mutants of polyploid industrial strains following screening for survival in doughs prepared with UV-mutagenized yeast and subjected to 200 freeze-thaw cycles. Two strains in the S47 background with a normal growth rate and the best freeze tolerance under laboratory conditions were selected for production in a 20-liter pilot fermentor. Before frozen storage, the AT25 mutant produced on the 20-liter pilot scale had a 10% higher gassing power capacity than the S47 strain, while the opposite was observed for cells produced under laboratory conditions. AT25 also retained more freeze tolerance during the initiation of fermentation in liquid cultures and more gassing power during storage of frozen doughs. Other industrially important properties (yield, growth rate, nitrogen assimilation, and phosphorus content) were very similar. AT25 had only half of the DNA content of S47, and its cell size was much smaller. Several diploid segregants of S47 had freeze tolerances similar to that of AT25 but inferior performance for other properties, while an AT25-derived tetraploid, TAT25, showed only slightly improved freeze tolerance compared to S47. When AT25 was cultured in a 20,000-liter fermentor under industrial conditions, it retained its superior performance and thus appears to be promising for use in frozen dough production. Our results also show that a diploid strain can perform at least as well as a tetraploid strain for commercial baker's yeast production and usage.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae pyruvate kinase Pyk1 is PKA phosphorylation substrate in vitro

Fractionation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae postribosomal extract on DEAE-cellulose revealed two fractions of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA-1 and PKA-2). The presence of PKA in both fractions was confirmed by immunoblotting with anti-Bcy1 antibodies. Yeast pyruvate kinase Pyk1 identified by amino acid microsequencing analysis and immunoblotting with anti-Pyk1 antibodies copurified with the PKA-1 but not the -2 fraction. Pyk1 can be phosphorylated by yeast PKA in vitro in the presence of cAMP and cGMP. Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis revealed four phosphorylated forms of Pyk1 modified by PKA. In phosphorylation of Pyk1 mainly the Tpk2 catalytic subunit of yeast PKA was involved.

The role of hexose transport and phosphorylation in cAMP signalling in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Glucose-induced cAMP signalling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires extracellular glucose detection via the Gpr1-Gpa2 G-protein coupled receptor system and intracellular glucose-sensing that depends on glucose uptake and phosphorylation. The glucose uptake requirement can be fulfilled by any glucose carrier including the Gal2 permease or by intracellular hydrolysis of maltose. Hence, the glucose carriers do not seem to play a regulatory role in cAMP signalling. Also the glucose carrier homologues, Snf3 and Rgt2, are not required for glucose-induced cAMP synthesis. Although no further metabolism beyond glucose phosphorylation is required, neither Glu6P nor ATP appears to act as metabolic trigger for cAMP signalling. This indicates that a regulatory function may be associated with the hexose kinases. Consistently, intracellular acidification, another known trigger of cAMP synthesis, can bypass the glucose uptake requirement but not the absence of a functional hexose kinase. This may indicate that intracellular acidification can boost a downstream effect that amplifies the residual signal transmitted via the hexose kinases when glucose uptake is too low.

The rye mutants identify a role for Ssn/Srb proteins of the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme during stationary phase entry in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells enter into a distinct resting state, known as stationary phase, in response to specific types of nutrient deprivation. We have identified a collection of mutants that exhibited a defective transcriptional response to nutrient limitation and failed to enter into a normal stationary phase. These rye mutants were isolated on the basis of defects in the regulation of YGP1 expression. In wild-type cells, YGP1 levels increased during the growth arrest caused by nutrient deprivation or inactivation of the Ras signaling pathway. In contrast, the levels of YGP1 and related genes were significantly elevated in the rye mutants during log phase growth. The rye defects were not specific to this YGP1 response as these mutants also exhibited multiple defects in stationary phase properties, including an inability to survive periods of prolonged starvation. These data indicated that the RYE genes might encode important regulators of yeast cell growth. Interestingly, three of the RYE genes encoded the Ssn/Srb proteins, Srb9p, Srb10p, and Srb11p, which are associated with the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme. Thus, the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme may be a target of the signaling pathways responsible for coordinating yeast cell growth with nutrient availability.

Selection of genes repressed by cAMP that are induced by nutritional limitation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

DNA-lacZ fusion libraries of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used to select genes coordinately regulated by the Ras-cAMP-cAPK signalling pathway. Sixteen new genes (AGP1, APE2, APE3, FPS1, GUT2, MDH2, PLB2, PYK2, RNR3, SUR1, UGA1, YHR033w, YBR006w, YHR143w, YMR086w and YOR173w) were found to be repressed by cAMP. Most of these genes encode for metabolic enzymes and are induced by nutritional limitations. These common properties suggest a role of this pathway in the metabolic adjustment of the cell to nutritional variations. The induction of 10 of these genes is reduced in the msn2,msn4 double mutant, which emphasizes the role of the Msn2/4p transcriptional activators in mediating the Ras-cAMP-cAPK signalling pathway. The Msn2p/Msn4p-independent expression of the six other genes suggests the existence of other regulatory systems under the control of this pathway.

Novel sensing mechanisms and targets for the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a major role in the control of metabolism, stress resistance and proliferation, in particular in connection with the available nutrient conditions. Extensive information has been obtained on the core section of the pathway, i.e. Cdc25, Ras, adenylate cyclase, PKA, and on components interacting directly with this core section, such as the Ira proteins, Cap/Srv2 and the two cAMP phosphodiesterases. Recent work has now started to reveal upstream regulatory components and downstream targets of the pathway. A G-protein-coupled receptor system (Gpr1-Gpa2) acts upstream of adenylate cyclase and is required for glucose activation of cAMP synthesis in concert with a glucose phosphorylation-dependent mechanism. Although a genuine signalling role for the Ras proteins remains unclear, they appear to mediate at least part of the potent stimulation of cAMP synthesis by intracellular acidification. Recently, several new targets of the PKA pathway have been discovered. These include the Msn2 and Msn4 transcription factors mediating part of the induction of STRE-controlled genes by a variety of stress conditions, the Rim15 protein kinase involved in stationary phase induction of a similar set of genes and the Pde1 low-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase, which specifically controls agonist-induced cAMP signalling. A major issue that remains to be resolved is the precise connection between the cAMP-PKA pathway and other nutrient-regulated components involved in the control of growth and of phenotypic characteristics correlated with growth, such as the Sch9 and Yak1 protein kinases. Cln3 appears to play a crucial role in the connection between the availability of certain nutrients and Cdc28 kinase activity, but it remains to be clarified which nutrient-controlled pathways control Cln3 levels.

Efficient transition to growth on fermentable carbon sources in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires signaling through the Ras pathway

Strains carrying ras2(318S) as their sole RAS gene fail to elicit a transient increase in cAMP levels following addition of glucose to starved cells but maintain normal steady-state levels of cAMP under a variety of growth conditions. Such strains show extended delays in resuming growth following transition from a quiescent state to glucose-containing growth media, either in emerging from stationary phase or following inoculation as spores onto fresh media. Otherwise, growth of such strains is indistinguishable from that of RAS2(+) strains. ras2(318S) strains also exhibit a delay in glucose-stimulated phosphorylation and turnover of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, a substrate of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and a key component of the gluconeogenic branch of the glycolytic pathway. Finally Tpk(w) strains, which fail to modulate PKA in response to fluctuations in cAMP levels, show the same growth delay phenotypes, as do ras2(318S) strains. These observations indicate that the glucose-induced cAMP spike results in a transient activation of PKA, which is required for efficient transition of yeast cells from a quiescent state to resumption of rapid growth. This represents the first demonstration that yeast cells use the Ras pathway to transmit a signal to effect a biological change in response to an upstream stimulus.

Regulation of the Cln3-Cdc28 kinase by cAMP in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae grows at widely varying rates in different growth media. In order to maintain a relatively constant cell size, yeast cells must regulate the rate of progress through the cell cycle to match changes in growth rate, moving quickly through G1 in rich medium, and slowly in poor medium. We have examined connections between nutrients, and the expression and activity of Cln3-Cdc28 kinase that regulates the G1-S boundary of the cell cycle in yeast, a point referred to as Start. We find that Cln3 protein levels are highest in glucose and lower in poorer carbon sources. This regulation involves both transcriptional and post-transcriptional control. Although the Ras-cAMP pathway does not appear to affect CLN3 transcription, cAMP increases Cln3 protein levels and Cln3-Cdc28 kinase activity. This regulation requires untranslated regions of the CLN3 message, and can be explained by changes in protein synthesis rates caused by cAMP. A model for CLN3 regulation and function is presented in which CLN3 regulates G1 length in response to nutrients.

Circadian rhythm of cell division

The existence of circadian oscillations in the level of hormones, in numerous physiological parameters, in toxicity and in behavior is now fully recognized in all living organisms. In contrast, the synchronisation and regulation of cell proliferation by circadian rhythms in vivo is only starting to be appreciated. This article reviews the experimental evidence for circadian synchronisation of cell division in different mammalian tissues (mainly the gastro-intestinal tract and hemapoietic system), including tumoral tissues. The possible causes of this coupling of the cell cycle phases to the circadian rhythm are discussed. Testing of novel antitumour agents using murine models should take into consideration the temporal difference between murine and human circadian control of proliferation (the peak of DNA synthesis occurs during the activity period, i.e. during daytime in man, and at night-time in mice and rats). Experimental and clinical data clearly support the important implications of the circadian control of the cell cycle in the optimisation of cancer chemotherapy, both for reducing toxicity and increasing the antitumour effects.

Msn2p and Msn4p control a large number of genes induced at the diauxic transition which are repressed by cyclic AMP in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The multicopy suppressors of the snf1 defect, Msn2p and Msn4p transcription factors (Msn2/4p), activate genes through the stress-responsive cis element (CCCCT) in response to various stresses. This cis element is also the target for repression by the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-signaling pathway. We analyzed the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis pattern of protein synthesis of the msn2 msn4 double mutant and compared it with that of the wild-type strain during exponential growth phase and at the diauxic transition. Thirty-nine gene products (including those of ALD3, GDH3, GLK1, GPP2, HSP104, HXK1, PGM2, SOD2, SSA3, SSA4, TKL2, TPS1, and YBR149W) are dependent upon Msn2/4p for their induction at the diauxic transition. The expression of all these genes is repressed by cAMP. Thirty other genes identified during this study are still inducible in the mutant. A subset of these genes were found to be superinduced at the diauxic transition, and others were subject to cAMP repression (including ACH1, ADH2, ALD6, ATP2, GPD1, ICL1, and KGD2). We conclude from this analysis that Msn2/4p control a large number of genes induced at the diauxic transition but that other, as-yet-uncharacterized regulators, also contribute to this response. In addition, we show here that cAMP repression applies to both Msn2/4p-dependent and -independent control of gene expression at the diauxic shift. Furthermore, the fact that all the Msn2/4p gene targets are subject to cAMP repression suggests that these regulators could be targets for the cAMP-signaling pathway.

Regulation of genes encoding subunits of the trehalose synthase complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: novel variations of STRE-mediated transcription control?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells show under suboptimal growth conditions a complex response that leads to the acquisition of tolerance to different types of environmental stress. This response is characterised by enhanced expression of a number of genes which contain so-called stress-responsive elements (STREs) in their promoters. In addition, the cells accumulate under suboptimal conditions the putative stress protectant trehalose. In this work, we have examined the expression of four genes encoding subunits of the trehalose synthase complex, GGS1/TPS1, TPS2, TPS3 and TSL1. We show that expression of these genes is coregulated under stress conditions. Like for many other genes containing STREs, expression of the trehalose synthase genes is also induced by heat and osmotic stress and by nutrient starvation, and negatively regulated by the Ras-cAMP pathway. However, during fermentative growth only TSL1 shows an expression pattern like that of the STRE-controlled genes CTT1 and SSA3, while expression of the three other trehalose synthase genes is only transiently down-regulated. This difference in expression might be related to the known requirement of trehalose biosynthesis for the control of yeast glycolysis and hence for fermentative growth. We conclude that the mere presence in the promoter of (an) active STRE(s) does not necessarily imply complete coregulation of expression. Additional mechanisms appear to fine tune the activity of STREs in order to adapt the expression of the downstream genes to specific requirements.

High cAMP levels antagonize the reprogramming of gene expression that occurs at the diauxic shift in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In order to analyse the involvement of the cAMP pathway in the regulation of gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have examined the effect of cAMP on protein synthesis by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. cAMP had only a minor effect on the protein pattern of cells growing exponentially on glucose. However, it interfered with the changes in gene expression normally occurring upon glucose exhaustion in yeast cultures, maintaining a protein pattern typical of cells growing on glucose. This effect was accompanied by a delay before growth recovery on ethanol. We propose a model in which the cAMP-signalling pathway has a role in the maintenance of gene expression, rather than in the determination of a specific programme. A decrease of cAMP would then be required for metabolic transitions such as the diauxic phase.

Differential response to UV stress and DNA damage during the yeast replicative life span

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mortal. Before they die, individual yeasts bud repeatedly producing a finite number of progeny, which have the capacity for a full life span. A feature of aging in many species is the waning of resistance to stress. To determine whether this is the case in yeast, we have examined the survival (viability) of age-synchronized populations of yeasts of various ages, spanning youth, midlife, and old age, after irradiation with ultraviolet light (UV). Resistance to UV was biphasic. There was an increase through midlife, followed by a precipitous decline. For comparison, another mutagenic agent, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), was tested in the same way. The response was very different. A uniphase decrease in resistance to this DNA-alkylating agent was found with a plateau later in life. The results argue that the increase in resistance to UV with age is an active process and not simply a monotonic age change. RAS2 is among the genes that determine yeast longevity. This gene is preferentially expressed in young cells and has a life span-extending effect on yeasts. One known function of RAS2 is to mount a protective response to irradiation by UV, which occurs independently of DNA damage. The distinction between UV and EMS found here is consistent with the notion that resistance to UV plays a role in yeast longevity in a manner not related to DNA damage. Furthermore, it suggests that RAS2 may participate in this response. We have found that RAS2 expression and UV resistance coincide in middle-aged yeasts bolstering this possibility. These data and the eclipse in activity of several longevity determining genes at midlife in yeasts also raise the possibility that active life maintenance processes function through this period, after which the organism operates on any remaining reserves until death.

Activation of the Ras/cyclic AMP pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not prevent G1 arrest in response to nitrogen starvation

Cells carrying mutations that activate the Ras/cyclic AMP (Ras/cAMP) pathway fail to accumulate in G1 as unbudded cells and lose viability in response to nitrogen starvation. This observation has led to the idea that cells carrying this type of mutation are sensitive to nitrogen starvation because they are unable to appropriately arrest in G1. In this study, we tested predictions made by this model. We found that cells with activating Ras/cAMP pathway mutations do not continue to divide after nitrogen starvation, show a normal decrease in steady state levels of START-specific transcripts, and are not rescued by removal of cAMP during nitrogen starvation. These findings are inconsistent with the idea that activation of the Ras/cAMP pathway prevents growth arrest in cells starved for nitrogen. Our finding that cells with an active Ras/cAMP pathway have dramatically reduced amino acid stores suggests an alternative model. We propose that cells at high cAMP levels are unable to store sufficient nutrients to allow return to the G1 phase of the cell cycle when they are suddenly deprived of nitrogen. It is this inability to return to G1, rather than a failure to arrest, which leaves cells at different points in the cell cycle following nitrogen starvation.

Sudden substrate dilution induces a higher rate of citric acid production by Aspergillus niger

On the basis of the present knowledge of Aspergillus niger metabolism during citric acid fermentation, an idea on how to improve the process was formed. Initially, a higher sucrose concentration was used for the germination of spores, which caused a higher intracellular level of the osmoregulator, glycerol, to be present. When citric acid started to be excreted into the medium, the substrate was suddenly diluted. Optimization of this procedure resulted in a nearly tripled volumetric rate (grams per liter per hour) of acid production, while the overall fermentation time was halved compared with the usual batch process. Yet, a characteristic delay was observed at the start of the acid excretion after the dilution. Hypo-osmotic shock caused a prominent elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels. Simultaneously, the specific activity of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase increased significantly, probably due to phosphorylation of the protein molecule by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Specific 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase activity was much higher in the treated than in the normally growing mycelium. The metabolic flow through glycolysis was expected to be higher, which should contribute to a higher volumetric rate of acid production.

Response of a yeast glycogen synthase gene to stress

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, glycogen synthase is encoded by two genes: GSY1 and GSY2. The activity of the enzymes increases as cultures enter the stationary phase of growth. Using a GSY2::lacZ fusion gene, we have demonstrated that the increase in glycogen synthase activity resulted, at least in part, from an increase in the level of the protein rather than simply from a change in its phosphorylation state. Northern blot analysis showed a parallel increase in the level of the GSY2 mRNA, which is consistent with transcriptional activation of GSY2. Deletion analysis identified three regions upstream of GSY2 which are involved in GSY2 expression: regions A (-390 to -347 relative to the start of translation), B (-252 to -209) and C (-209 to -167). Region A or C independently activated expression of GSY2. In contrast, region B alone yielded only modest expression. Expression of GSY2 is induced by growth to stationary phase, heat shock or nitrogen starvation. Response to these stressors is mediated by elements within regions A and C. These elements appear to be related to the stress-response elements found in other stress-responsive genes.

A serine (threonine) protein kinase confers fungicide resistance in the phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis

A mutant of Ustilago maydis (VR43) with single-gene resistance to the dicarboximide fungicide vinclozolin was previously isolated and characterized. A genomic library was constructed, and an 8.7-kb resistance-conferring fragment was isolated by sib selection. Sequencing this fragment, we identified an 1,218-bp open reading frame, which, if disrupted by deletion, no longer confers resistance. Analyses of the data in GenBank demonstrated a high degree of homology between the product of the 1,218-bp open reading frame, referred to as the adr-1 gene, and Ser (Thr) protein kinases.

The Saccharomyces SHP1 gene, which encodes a regulator of phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 with differential effects on glycogen metabolism, meiotic differentiation, and mitotic cell cycle progression

The phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 (PP1) catalytic subunit encoded by the Saccharomyces GLC7 gene is involved in control of glycogen metabolism, meiosis, translation, chromosome segregation, cell polarity, and G2/M cell cycle progression. It is also lethal when overproduced. We have isolated strains which are resistant to Glc7p overproduction lethality as a result of mutations in the SHP1 (suppressor of high-copy PP1) gene, which was previously encountered in a genomic sequencing project as an open reading frame whose interruption totally blocked sporulation and slightly slowed cell proliferation. These phenotypes also characterized our shp1 mutations, as did deficient glycogen accumulation. Lysates from the shp1 mutants were deficient in PP1 catalytic activity but exhibited no obvious abnormalities in the steady-state level or subcellular localization pattern of a catalytically active Glc7p-hemagglutinin fusion polypeptide. The lower level of PP1 activity in shp1 cells permitted substitution of a galactose-induced GAL10-GLC7 fusion for GLC7; depletion of Glc7p from these cells by growth in glucose medium resulted in G2/M arrest as previously observed for a glc7cs allele but with depletion arrest occurring most frequently at a later stage of mitosis. The higher requirement of glycogen accumulation and sporulation for PP1 activity would permit their regulation via Glc7p activity, independent of its requirement for mitosis.

Cloning of cDNAs from Arabidopsis thaliana that encode putative protein phosphatase 2C and a human Dr1-like protein by transformation of a fission yeast mutant

We characterized three Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA clones that could rescue the sterile phenotype of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe pde1 mutant, which is defective in cAMP phosphodiesterase. The first clone had a coding capacity of 399 amino acids that is 35% identical with rat protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C). The second had a coding capacity of 159 amino acids that is 41% identical with human Dr1. Dr1 has been shown to interact with TATA-binding protein (TBP) and block its ability to activate transcription. The third encoded Arabidopsis TBP itself. Saccharomyces cerevisiae TBP also could suppress the sterile phenotype if expressed in S.pombe pde1 cells, but overexpression of S.pombe TBP could do so very poorly. These observations suggest preliminarily that PP2C may counteract cAMP-dependent protein kinase in fission yeast cells, and that the heterologous TBPs and Dr1 may interfere with the general transcription factors of S.pombe so that the gene expression in the host cell becomes affirmative of sexual development. Furthermore, the identification of a Dr1-like protein in A.thaliana strongly argues for the ubiquity of this protein among eukaryotic genera and for a conserved mechanism to regulate transcription initiation that involves Dr1.

Activation of trehalase during growth induction by nitrogen sources in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae depends on the free catalytic subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, but not on functional Ras proteins

Addition of a nitrogen-source to glucose-repressed, nitrogen-starved G0 cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of a fermentable carbon source induces growth and causes within a few minutes a five-fold, protein-synthesis-independent increase in the activity of trehalase. Nitrogen-activated trehalase could be deactivated in vitro by alkaline phosphatase treatment, supporting the idea that the activation is triggered by phosphorylation. Yeast strains containing only one of the three TPK genes (which encode the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase) showed different degrees of nitrogen-induced trehalase activation. The order of effectiveness was different from that previously reported for glucose-induced activation of trehalase in glucose-depressed yeast cells. Further reduction of TPK-encoded catalytic subunit activity by partially inactivating point mutations in the remaining TPK gene further diminished nitrogen-induced trehalase activation, while deletion of the BCY1 gene (which encodes the regulatory subunit) in the same strains resulted in an increase in the extent of activation. Deletion of the RAS genes in such a tpkw1 bcy1 strain had no effect. These results are consistent with mediation of nitrogen-induced trehalase activation by the free catalytic subunits alone. They support our previous conclusion that cAMP does not act as second messenger in this nitrogen-induced activation process and our suggestion that a novel nitrogen-induced signaling pathway integrates with the cAMP pathway at the level of the free catalytic subunits of protein kinase A. Western blot experiments showed that the differences in the extent of trehalase activation were not due to differences in trehalase expression. On the other hand, we cannot completely exclude that protein kinase A influences the nitrogen-induced activation mechanism itself rather than acting directly on trehalase. However, any such alternative explanation requires the existence of an additional, yet unknown, mechanism for activation of trehalase besides the well-established regulation by protein kinase A.

The yeast and mammalian Ras pathways control transcription of heat shock genes independently of heat shock transcription factor

Yeast strains in which the Ras-cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway is constitutively active are sensitive to heat shock, whereas mutants in which the activity of this pathway is low are hyperresistant to heat shock. To determine the molecular basis for these differences, we examined the transcriptional induction of heat shock genes in various yeast strains. Activation of heat shock genes was attenuated in the strains in which the Ras-cAMP pathway is constitutively active. In contrast, in a strain deficient in cAMP production, several heat shock genes were induced by removal of cAMP from the medium. These results indicate that the Ras-cAMP pathway affects the induction of heat shock genes. In all of the mutants, heat shock transcription factor expression and activity were identical to those in wild-type cells. The response to heat shock in Ha-ras-transformed rat fibroblasts was also studied. While no induction of Hsp68 was observed in Ha-ras-transformed cells, proper regulation of heat shock transcription factor was found. Therefore, in mammals, as in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Ras pathway controls the transcription of heat shock genes via a mechanism not involving the heat shock transcription factor.

The yeast and mammalian Ras pathways control transcription of heat shock genes independently of heat shock transcription factor

Yeast strains in which the Ras-cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway is constitutively active are sensitive to heat shock, whereas mutants in which the activity of this pathway is low are hyperresistant to heat shock. To determine the molecular basis for these differences, we examined the transcriptional induction of heat shock genes in various yeast strains. Activation of heat shock genes was attenuated in the strains in which the Ras-cAMP pathway is constitutively active. In contrast, in a strain deficient in cAMP production, several heat shock genes were induced by removal of cAMP from the medium. These results indicate that the Ras-cAMP pathway affects the induction of heat shock genes. In all of the mutants, heat shock transcription factor expression and activity were identical to those in wild-type cells. The response to heat shock in Ha-ras-transformed rat fibroblasts was also studied. While no induction of Hsp68 was observed in Ha-ras-transformed cells, proper regulation of heat shock transcription factor was found. Therefore, in mammals, as in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Ras pathway controls the transcription of heat shock genes via a mechanism not involving the heat shock transcription factor.

SLK1, a yeast homolog of MAP kinase activators, has a RAS/cAMP-independent role in nutrient sensing

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SLK1 protein is implicated in nutrient sensing and growth control. Under nutrient-limiting conditions, slk1 mutants fail to undergo cell cycle arrest. The role of the SLK1 protein in nutrient sensing was examined with respect to the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway, which has a well characterized role in growth control in yeast, and by the analysis of dominant SLK1 alleles that affect the nutrient response of wild-type cells. Interactions with the PKA pathway were examined by phenotypic analysis of double mutants of slk1 and various PKA pathway mutants. Combining the slk1-delta mutation with a mutation that is thought constitutively activate the PKA pathway, pde2, resulted in enhanced growth control defects. The combination of slk1-delta with mutations that inhibit the PKA pathway, cdc25 and ras1, ras2, failed to alleviate the slk1 cell cycle arrest defect and lowered the permissive temperature for growth. Furthermore bcy1 tpk1 tpk2 tpk3w (bcy1 tpkw) mutants, which have constitutive, low-level, cAMP-independent kinase activity, exhibit nutrient sensing, which is eliminated in the slk1 bcy1 tpkw mutants. These results implicated SLK1 in PKA-independent growth control in yeast. The amino-terminal, noncatalytic region of the SLK1 protein may be important in the regulation of SLK1 function in growth control. Overexpression of this region caused starvation sensitivity in wild-type cells by interfering with SLK1 protein function.

Isolation of a CDC25 family gene, MSI2/LTE1, as a multicopy suppressor of ira1

We have identified MSI2 as a gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which, when on a multicopy vector, suppresses the heat shock sensitivity caused by the loss of the IRA1 product, a negative regulator of the RAS protein. The multicopy MSI2 also suppresses the heat shock sensitivity of cells with the RAS2val19 mutation but not those with the bcy1 mutation, suggesting that the MSI2 protein may interfere with the activity of the RAS protein. The sequence analysis of MSI2 reveals that it is identical to LTE1 belonging to the CDC25 family: CDC25, SCD25 and BUD5, each of which encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the ras superfamily gene products. Deletion of the entire MSI2 coding region reveals that MSI2 is not essential but the disruptant shows a cold-sensitive phenotype. Under the non-permissive conditions, more than 70% of the msi2 disruptants arrested at telophase as large budded cells with two nuclei divided completely and elongated spindles, indicating that the msi2 deletion is a cell division cycle mutation. These results suggest that MSI2 is involved in the termination of M phase and that this process is regulated by a ras superfamily gene product.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc15 mutants arrested at a late stage in anaphase are rescued by Xenopus cDNAs encoding N-ras or a protein with beta-transducin repeats

We have constructed a Xenopus oocyte cDNA library in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression vector and used this library to isolate genes that can function in yeast cells to suppress the temperature sensitive [corrected] defect of the cdc15 mutation. Two maternally expressed Xenopus cDNAs which fulfill these conditions have been isolated. One of these clones encodes Xenopus N-ras. In contrast to the yeast RAS genes, Xenopus N-ras rescues the cdc15 mutation. Moreover, overexpression of Xenopus N-ras in S. cerevisiae does not activate the RAS-cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway; rather, it results in decreased levels of intracellular cAMP in both mutant cdc15 and wild-type cells. Furthermore, we show that lowering cAMP levels is sufficient to allow cells with a nonfunctional Cdc15 protein to complete the mitotic cycle. These results suggest that a key step of the cell cycle is dependent upon a phosphorylation event catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The second clone, beta TrCP (beta-transducin repeat-containing protein), encodes a protein of 518 amino acids that shows significant homology to the beta subunits of G proteins in its C-terminal half. In this region, beta Trcp is composed of seven beta-transducin repeats. beta TrCP is not a functional homolog of S. cerevisiae CDC20, a cell cycle gene that also contains beta-transducin repeats and suppresses the cdc15 mutation.

Alteration of a yeast SH3 protein leads to conditional viability with defects in cytoskeletal and budding patterns

Mutations in genes necessary for survival in stationary phase were isolated to understand the ability of wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae to remain viable during prolonged periods of nutritional deprivation. Here we report results concerning one of these mutants, rvs167, which shows reduced viability and abnormal cell morphology upon carbon and nitrogen starvation. The mutant exhibits the same response when cells are grown in high salt concentrations and other unfavorable growth conditions. The RVS167 gene product displays significant homology with the Rvs161 protein and contains a SH3 domain at the C-terminal end. Abnormal actin distribution is associated with the mutant phenotype. In addition, while the budding pattern of haploid strains remains axial in standard growth conditions, the budding pattern of diploid mutant strains is random. The gene RVS167 therefore could be implicated in cytoskeletal reorganization in response to environmental stresses and could act in the budding site selection mechanism.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc15 mutants arrested at a late stage in anaphase are rescued by Xenopus cDNAs encoding N-ras or a protein with beta-transducin repeats

We have constructed a Xenopus oocyte cDNA library in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression vector and used this library to isolate genes that can function in yeast cells to suppress the temperature sensitive [corrected] defect of the cdc15 mutation. Two maternally expressed Xenopus cDNAs which fulfill these conditions have been isolated. One of these clones encodes Xenopus N-ras. In contrast to the yeast RAS genes, Xenopus N-ras rescues the cdc15 mutation. Moreover, overexpression of Xenopus N-ras in S. cerevisiae does not activate the RAS-cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway; rather, it results in decreased levels of intracellular cAMP in both mutant cdc15 and wild-type cells. Furthermore, we show that lowering cAMP levels is sufficient to allow cells with a nonfunctional Cdc15 protein to complete the mitotic cycle. These results suggest that a key step of the cell cycle is dependent upon a phosphorylation event catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The second clone, beta TrCP (beta-transducin repeat-containing protein), encodes a protein of 518 amino acids that shows significant homology to the beta subunits of G proteins in its C-terminal half. In this region, beta Trcp is composed of seven beta-transducin repeats. beta TrCP is not a functional homolog of S. cerevisiae CDC20, a cell cycle gene that also contains beta-transducin repeats and suppresses the cdc15 mutation.

Alteration of a yeast SH3 protein leads to conditional viability with defects in cytoskeletal and budding patterns

Mutations in genes necessary for survival in stationary phase were isolated to understand the ability of wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae to remain viable during prolonged periods of nutritional deprivation. Here we report results concerning one of these mutants, rvs167, which shows reduced viability and abnormal cell morphology upon carbon and nitrogen starvation. The mutant exhibits the same response when cells are grown in high salt concentrations and other unfavorable growth conditions. The RVS167 gene product displays significant homology with the Rvs161 protein and contains a SH3 domain at the C-terminal end. Abnormal actin distribution is associated with the mutant phenotype. In addition, while the budding pattern of haploid strains remains axial in standard growth conditions, the budding pattern of diploid mutant strains is random. The gene RVS167 therefore could be implicated in cytoskeletal reorganization in response to environmental stresses and could act in the budding site selection mechanism.

Changes in gene expression in the Ras/adenylate cyclase system of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: correlation with cAMP levels and growth arrest

Levels of cyclic 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) play an important role in the decision to enter the mitotic cycle in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to growth arrest at stationary phase, S. cerevisiae transiently arrest growth as they shift from fermentative to oxidative metabolism (the diauxic shift). Experiments examining the role of cAMP in growth arrest at the diauxic shift show the following: 1) yeast lower cAMP levels as they exhaust their glucose supply and shift to oxidative metabolism of ethanol, 2) a reduction in cAMP is essential for traversing the diauxic shift, 3) the decrease in adenylate cyclase activity is associated with a decrease in the expression of CYR1 and CDC25, two positive regulators of cAMP levels and an increase in the expression of IRA1 and IRA2, two negative regulators of intracellular cAMP, 4) mutants carrying disruptions in IRA1 and IRA2 were unable to arrest cell division at the diauxic shift and were unable to progress into the oxidative phase of growth. These results indicate that changes cAMP levels are important in regulation of growth arrest at the diauxic shift and that changes in gene expression plays a role in the regulation of the Ras/adenylate cyclase system.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate releases Ca2+ from vacuolar membrane vesicles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) induces a release of Ca2+ from vacuolar membrane vesicles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The amount released is dependent on IP3 concentration (concentration for half maximal effect, Km, apparent = 0.4 microM). Myo-inositol, and inositol 1,4-bisphosphate up to 50 microM have no effect on Ca2+ levels in the vesicles. The IP3-induced Ca2+ release is blocked by dantrolene and 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate-HCl (TMB-8), which are known to block Ca2+ release from Ca2+ stores in animal cells. IP3-induced release of Ca2+ also occurs when Ca2+ is accumulated by means of an artificial pH gradient, indicating that the effect of IP3 is not due to an effect on the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. The IP3-induced Ca2+ release is not accompanied by a change in the pH gradient, which indicates that it is not due to a reversal of the Ca2+/nH+ antiport or to a decrease in delta pH by IP3. The present results suggest that IP3 may act as a second messenger in the mobilization of Ca2+ in yeast cells. As in plant cells, the vacuolar membrane of yeast seems to contain a Ca2+ channel, which can be opened by IP3. In this respect the vacuole could function as an IP3-regulated intracellular Ca2+ store, equivalent to the endoplasmic- and sarcoplasmic reticulum in animal cells, and play a role in Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction in yeast cells.

Dual regulation by heat and nutrient stress of the yeast HSP150 gene encoding a secretory glycoprotein

We have cloned and characterized the HSP150 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which encodes a glycoprotein (hsp150) that is secreted into the growth medium. Unexpectedly, the HSP150 gene was found to be regulated by heat shock and nitrogen starvation. Shifting the cells from 24 degrees C to 37 degrees C resulted in an abrupt increase in the steady-state level of the HSP150 mRNA, and de novo synthesized hsp150 protein. Returning the cells to 24 degrees C caused a rapid decrease in mRNA and protein synthesis to basal levels. The HSP150 5'-flanking region contains several heat shock element-like sequences (HSE). To study the function of these sequences, a strain bearing a disrupted copy of the HSP150 gene was transformed with plasmids in which the coding region of HSP150, or a HSP150-lacZ fusion gene, was preceded by 5' deletion derivatives of the HSP150 promoter. Site-directed mutagenesis of one HSE-like element, located between the TATA box and transcription initiation sites, abolished heat activation of transcription. In addition to heat shock, the HSP150 gene is regulated by the availability of nutrients in the growth medium. The HSP150 mRNA level was increased by nitrogen limitation at 24 degrees C, even when under the control of a HSP150 promoter region of 137 bp carrying the mutagenized HSE.

Carbon source induces growth of stationary phase yeast cells, independent of carbon source metabolism

Nutrients regulate the proliferation of many eukaryotic cells: in the absence of sufficient nutrients vegetatively growing cells will enter stationary (G0 like) phase; in the presence of sufficient nutrients non-proliferative cells will begin growth. Previously we have shown that glucose is the critical nutrient which stimulates a variety of growth-related events in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Granot and Snyder, 1991). This paper describes six new aspects of the induction of cell growth events by nutrients in S. cerevisiae. First, all carbon sources tested, both fermentable and non-fermentable, induce growth-related events in stationary phase cells, suggesting that the carbon source is the critical nutrient which stimulates growth. Second, the continuous presence of glucose is not necessary for the induction of growth events, but rather a short 'pulse' of glucose followed by an incubation period in water will induce growth events. Third, growth stimulation by glucose occurs in the absence of the SNF3 high affinity glucose transporter. Fourth, growth stimulation occurs independent of carbon source phosphorylation and carbon source metabolism. Fifth, growth induction by carbon source does not require protein synthesis or extracellular calcium. Sixth, following stimulation by carbon source, the cells remain induced for more than 2 h after removal of the carbon source. We suggest a general model in which different carbon sources act as signals to induce the earliest growth events during or following its entry into the cell and that these growth events do not depend upon metabolism of the carbon source.

Control of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carboxypeptidase S (CPS1) gene expression under nutrient limitation

Expression of the vacuolar carboxypeptidase S (CPS1) gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by the availability of nutrients. Enzyme production is sensitive to nitrogen catabolite repression; i.e. the presence of ammonium ions maintains expression of the gene at a low level. Transfer of ammonium-glucose pre-grown cells to a medium deprived of nitrogen causes a drastic increase in CPS1 RNA level provided that a readily usable carbon source, such as glucose or fructose, is available to the cells. Derepression of the gene by nitrogen limitation is cycloheximide-insensitive. Neither glycerol, ethanol, acetate nor galactose support derepression of CPS1 expression under nitrogen starvation conditions. Non-metabolizable sugar analogs (2-deoxyglucose, 6-methyl-glucose or glucosamine) do not allow derepression of CPS1, showing that the process is energy-dependent. Production of carboxypeptidase yscS also increases several-fold when ammonium-pregrown cells are transferred to media containing glucose and a non-readily metabolizable nitrogen source such as proline, leucine, valine or leucyl-glycine. Analysis of CPS1 expression in RAS2+ (high cAMP) and ras2 mutant (low cAMP) strains and in cells grown at low temperature (23 degrees C) and in heat-shocked cells (38 degrees C) shows that steady-state levels of CPS1 mRNA are not controlled by a low cAMP level-signalling pathway.

Characterization of the MKS1 gene, a new negative regulator of the Ras-cyclic AMP pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In order to isolate genes that function downstream of the Ras-cAMP pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a YEp13-based genomic library was screened for clones that inhibit growth of cells with diminished A-kinase activity. One such gene, MKS1, was found to encode a hydrophilic 52 kDa protein that shares weak homology with the yeast SPT2/SIN1 gene product. Three lines of evidence suggest that the MKS1 gene product is a negative regulator downstream of the Ras-cAMP pathway: (i) overexpression of MKS1 inhibits growth of cyr1 disruptant cells on YPD medium containing a low concentration of cAMP; (ii) overexpression of MKS1 does not affect TPK1 expression; and (iii) the temperature-sensitive cyr1-230 mutation is partially suppressed by mks1 disruption. The mks1 mutant shows similar phenotypes to gal11/spt13, i.e., it cannot grow on YPGal containing ethidium bromide at 25 degrees C, or on YPGly or SGal at 37 degrees C. The mks1 gal11 double mutant shows more marked phenotypic changes than the single mutants. These results suggest that MKS1 is involved in transcriptional regulation of several genes by cAMP.

The cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter is regulated by cAMP in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter confers strong gene expression in plants, animals and fission yeast, but not in budding yeast. On investigating this paradox, we found that in budding yeast the promoter acts through two domains. Whereas the upstream domain acts as a silencer, the downstream domain couples expression to the nutritional state of the cells via the RAS/cAMP pathway. Point mutations indicate that two boxes with similarity to the cAMP regulated element (CRE) of mammalian cells mediate this response. Gel retardation assays show that, in both yeast and plant protein extracts, factors bind to this promoter element. Therefore, transcriptional activation appears to be highly conserved at the level of transcription factors and specific DNA target elements in eukaryotes. This offers new ways to investigate gene regulation mechanisms of higher eukaryotes, which are not as amenable to genetic analysis as yeast.

MOL1, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene that is highly expressed in early stationary phase during growth on molasses

We have isolated a new Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, MOL1, that is transiently expressed at high levels in the early stationary phase of batch cultures growing on industrial molasses medium. The DNA sequence of the MOL1 gene (for MOLasses-inducible) with its flanking regions was determined (EMBL accession number X61669). It encodes a polypeptide of M(r) 35 kDa that is closely related to stress-inducible proteins of similar size from two Fusarium species. Unlike ST135 of Fusarium, MOL1 is not induced by ethanol or heat shock. MOL1 expression is absent in rich (YP) medium, and only very low levels of expression are detectable in minimal (YNB) medium. The gene is not essential, and a MOL1 disruption strain showed no apparent phenotype under a variety of growth conditions. The 5' region of MOL1 contains the complete sequence previously determined for the SUF4 locus, encoding a tRNA-gly (UCC) gene, which has been mapped to chromosome VII.