Induction of normal ascosporogenesis in two-spored Saccharomyces cerevisiae by glucose, acetate, and zinc

Natural trait variation across Saccharomycotina species

Among molecular biologists, the group of fungi called Saccharomycotina is famous for its yeasts. These yeasts in turn are famous for what they have in common-genetic, biochemical, and cell-biological characteristics that serve as models for plants and animals. But behind the apparent homogeneity of Saccharomycotina species lie a wealth of differences. In this review, we discuss traits that vary across the Saccharomycotina subphylum. We describe cases of bright pigmentation; a zoo of cell shapes; metabolic specialties; and species with unique rules of gene regulation. We discuss the genetics of this diversity and why it matters, including insights into basic evolutionary principles with relevance across Eukarya.

Identification of a new set of cell cycle-regulatory genes that regulate S-phase transcription of histone genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Histone mRNA synthesis is tightly regulated to S phase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle as a result of transcriptional and posttranscriptional controls. Moreover, histone gene transcription decreases rapidly if DNA replication is inhibited by hydroxyurea or if cells are arrested in G1 by the mating pheromone alpha-factor. To identify the transcriptional controls responsible for cycle-specific histone mRNA synthesis, we have developed a selection for mutations which disrupt this process. Using this approach, we have isolated five mutants (hpc1, hpc2, hpc3, hpc4, and hpc5) in which cell cycle regulation of histone gene transcription is altered. All of these mutations are recessive and belong to separate complementation groups. Of these, only one (hpc1) falls in one of the three complementation groups identified previously by other means (M. A. Osley and D. Lycan, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:4204-4210, 1987), indicating that at least seven different genes are involved in the cell cycle-specific regulation of histone gene transcription. hpc4 is unique in that derepression occurs only in the presence of hydroxyurea but not alpha-factor, suggesting that at least one of the regulatory factors is specific to histone gene transcription after DNA replication is blocked. One of the hpc mutations (hpc2) suppresses delta insertion mutations in the HIS4 and LYS2 loci. This effect allowed the cloning and sequence analysis of HPC2, which encodes a 67.5-kDa, highly charged basic protein.

Identification of a new set of cell cycle-regulatory genes that regulate S-phase transcription of histone genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Histone mRNA synthesis is tightly regulated to S phase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle as a result of transcriptional and posttranscriptional controls. Moreover, histone gene transcription decreases rapidly if DNA replication is inhibited by hydroxyurea or if cells are arrested in G1 by the mating pheromone alpha-factor. To identify the transcriptional controls responsible for cycle-specific histone mRNA synthesis, we have developed a selection for mutations which disrupt this process. Using this approach, we have isolated five mutants (hpc1, hpc2, hpc3, hpc4, and hpc5) in which cell cycle regulation of histone gene transcription is altered. All of these mutations are recessive and belong to separate complementation groups. Of these, only one (hpc1) falls in one of the three complementation groups identified previously by other means (M. A. Osley and D. Lycan, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:4204-4210, 1987), indicating that at least seven different genes are involved in the cell cycle-specific regulation of histone gene transcription. hpc4 is unique in that derepression occurs only in the presence of hydroxyurea but not alpha-factor, suggesting that at least one of the regulatory factors is specific to histone gene transcription after DNA replication is blocked. One of the hpc mutations (hpc2) suppresses delta insertion mutations in the HIS4 and LYS2 loci. This effect allowed the cloning and sequence analysis of HPC2, which encodes a 67.5-kDa, highly charged basic protein.

Effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ligands on yeast sporulation

Earlier studies have suggested that glutamate may play an important role in the transition between the mitotic (vegetative) and meiotic (sporulative) stages of the life cycle in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Glutamate is also a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate brain, and its actions are mediated by the excitatory amino acid (EAA) family of receptors, the three best-characterized of which are the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), quisqualate (Q), and kainate (K) receptors. As an initial test of the possibility that glutamate action in S. cerevisiae might be mediated by an EAA-like receptor mechanism, the effects of ligands that define the functional domains of the vertebrate NMDA receptor have been examined. The responses of S. cerevisiae cells to ligands that act at four distinct sites on the NMDA receptor provide the first evidence for an NMDA-like receptor-mediated system involved in the control of yeast sporulation.

Epigenetic inheritance of transcriptional states in S. cerevisiae

SIR1, one of several genes required for repression of yeast silent mating type loci, has a unique role in repression of the HML alpha locus. Single-cell assays revealed that cells with mutant alleles of SIR1, including presumptive null alleles, existed as populations of genetically identical cells whose members were in one of two different regulatory states. A minority of cells had a repressed HML alpha locus whereas the majority had a derepressed HML alpha locus. The two states were mitotically stable, although rare changes in state were observed during mitotic growth, possibly reflecting heritable changes to the HML alpha locus at or before replication. Analysis of changes in state suggests that SIR1 protein has a role in the establishment but not the maintenance of repression of silent mating type genes, whereas SIR2, SIR3, and SIR4 are required for maintenance.

Extremely conserved histone H4 N terminus is dispensable for growth but essential for repressing the silent mating loci in yeast

Yeast histone H4 function was probed in vivo by deleting segments of this extremely conserved 102 amino acid protein. Deletions in the hydrophobic core of H4 are lethal and block chromosomal segregation. In contrast, deletions at the hydrophilic N terminus (residues 4-28) and C terminus (residues 100-102) are viable. However, N-terminal deletion alters normal chromatin structure and lengthens the cell cycle, especially G2. Surprisingly, removal of the H4 N terminus also derepresses the silent mating type loci, HML alpha and HMRa, disrupting mating. This activation is specific since other regulated genes (GAL10, PHO5, CUP1) are repressed and induced normally in these cells. Deletions of the hydrophilic N termini of H2A or H2B do not show this effect on mating. These experiments allow us to define a unique H4 function that is not shared by other histones (H2A and H2B).

Cell division age dependency of meiosis in an apomictic variant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cell division age dependency of sporulation was investigated in a diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (19el) which undergoes a single equational nuclear division during sporulation with consequent formation of asci containing two uninucleate diploid spores (apomictic dyads). Under modified nutritional conditions which partially restore meiosis and hence normal tetrad formation, newly formed (age 0) daughter cells were observed to be capable of formation of apomictic dyads but not of meiotic tetrads. Even under conditions in which only apomictic dyads developed, approximately 20% of the asci resulted from differentiation of newborn 'inexperienced' cells. Thus, the data indicated production of at least one bud to be a prerequisite for meiosis but not for apomixis; however, occurrence of at least one complete mitotic cell division cycle was evidently insufficient for the morphogenetic switch from diploid to haploid spore formation, since older cells bearing several bud scars often underwent apomictic dyad development, and some produced no spores.

Partial restoration of meiosis in an apomictic strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a model system for investigation of nucleomitochondrial interactions during sporulation

In an apomictic strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 4117-H2) which undergoes a single nuclear division during sporulation and consequently forms asci containing two uninucleate diploid spores, a study was undertaken to investigate the effects of cultivation in three presporulation media (YPA; YNB; SMM) on nuclear division and ascosporogenesis in sporulation medium. Comparison of effects of presporulation culture in these media on the number of spores formed per ascus showed that a marked induction (30 +/- 4.3 per cent) of three- and four-spored asci could occur in sporulation medium following cultivation in a defined YNB medium supplemented with a 1 per cent solution of vitamins and containing decreased ammonium sulphate and increased glucose levels. Experiments in which the concentrations of glucose and of ammonium sulphate were varied simultaneously indicated that the initial presporulation carbon to nitrogen source ratio is an important factor in determining tetrad formation in sporulation medium. Nuclear staining demonstrated two classes of asci: binucleate (one- and two-spored) and tetranucleate (three- and four-spored). Genetic evidence and data concerning effects of inclusion in sporulation medium of a meiotic inhibitor (glucose) indicated spores in tetrads were haploid rather than diploid. This ability to condition a significant number of cells for meiotic rather than apomictic differentiation made possible investigation of effects of mitochondrial inhibitors on both developmental processes simultaneously. It was found possible to selectively inhibit meiotic development by inclusion in sporulation medium of appropriate concentrations of specific inhibitors. Moreover, the data suggest meiotic sporulation is more strictly dependent than apomictic sporulation on mitochondrial function.

Events associated with restoration by zinc of meiosis in apomictic Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The effects of nutritional alterations (carbon source and zinc) on nuclear division and protein synthesis during apomictic and meiotic development in Saccharomyces cerevisiae 19e1 were investigated. Unlike cells cultivated under meiosis-promoting conditions, cells cultured under apomixis-promoting conditions exhibited extensive protein synthesis during the first 3 h of incubation in sporulation medium, and nuclear divisions were evident during this time. Cycloheximide treatment of the latter cells induced meiosis, and maximum yields of meiotic asci resulted when this treatment was given for the first 3 h in sporulation medium. The results indicate that the decision concerning which developmental route cells will follow is made shortly after transfer to sporulation medium. Electrophoretic analysis of labeled proteins synthesized during sporulation revealed bands unique to both developmental routes.

Involvement of mitochondrial protein synthesis in sporulation: effects of erythromycin on macromolecular synthesis, meiosis, and ascospore formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cells of strain Z270 (MAT alpha/MAT alpha) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not undergo ascospore formation in buffered or unbuffered acetate sporulation medium in the presence of erythromycin. The drug inhibited sporulation when added within the first 6 to 8 h and affected to different extents some of the metabolic and sporulation-specific events that normally occur during this period. In sporulation medium, protein synthesis was highly sensitive to erythromycin, whereas RNA synthesis was unaffected and premeiotic DNA synthesis was partially inhibited. Intragenic recombination occurred at normal rates for the various heteroallelic loci tested, but rates of intergenic recombination were markedly reduced, and commitment to haploidization did not occur; hence, development was evidently arrested between intragenic and intergenic recombination. Cells kept for 8 h in acetate sporulation medium that were ready for sporulation in water without erythromycin failed to sporulate in water containing the drug, indicating that erythromycin can inhibit sporulation independent of acetate utilization.