S. cerevisiae alpha pheromone receptors activate a novel signal transduction pathway for mating partner discrimination

Wild-type S. cerevisiae cells of both mating types prefer partners producing high levels of pheromone and mate very infrequently to cells producing no pheromone. However, some mutants that are supersensitive to pheromone lack this ability to discriminate. In this study, we provide evidence for a novel role of alpha pheromone receptors in mating partner discrimination that is independent of the known G protein-mediated signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, in response to pheromone, receptors become localized to the emerging region of morphogenesis that is positioned adjacent to the nucleus, suggesting that receptor localization may be involved in mating partner discrimination. Actin, myosin 2, and clathrin heavy chain are involved in mating partner discrimination, since strains carrying mutations in the genes encoding these proteins result in a small but significant defect in mating partner discrimination.

Characterization of RAD9 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and evidence that its function acts posttranslationally in cell cycle arrest after DNA damage

In eucaryotic cells, incompletely replicated or damaged chromosomes induce cell cycle arrest in G2 before mitosis, and in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae the RAD9 gene is essential for the cell cycle arrest (T.A. Weinert and L. H. Hartwell, Science 241:317-322, 1988). In this report, we extend the analysis of RAD9-dependent cell cycle control. We found that both induction of RAD9-dependent arrest in G2 and recovery from arrest could occur in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, showing that the mechanism of RAD9-dependent control involves a posttranslational mechanism(s). We have isolated and determined the DNA sequence of the RAD9 gene, confirming the DNA sequence reported previously (R. H. Schiestl, P. Reynolds, S. Prakash, and L. Prakash, Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:1882-1886, 1989). The predicted protein sequence for the Rad9 protein bears no similarity to sequences of known proteins. We also found that synthesis of the RAD9 transcript in the cell cycle was constitutive and not induced by X-irradiation. We constructed yeast cells containing a complete deletion of the RAD9 gene; the rad9 null mutants were viable, sensitive to X- and UV irradiation, and defective for cell cycle arrest after DNA damage. Although Rad+ and rad9 delta cells had similar growth rates and cell cycle kinetics in unirradiated cells, the spontaneous rate of chromosome loss (in unirradiated cells) was elevated 7- to 21-fold in rad9 delta cells. These studies show that in the presence of induced or endogenous DNA damage, RAD9 is a negative regulator that inhibits progression from G2 in order to preserve cell viability and to maintain the fidelity of chromosome transmission.

Courtship in S. cerevisiae: both cell types choose mating partners by responding to the strongest pheromone signal

We demonstrate that during the courtship stage of conjugation, S. cerevisiae a cells choose the alpha cell producing the highest level of pheromone from among potential mating partners. From this result and that for alpha cells we conclude that both a and alpha cells act as signaling cells during courtship, that both cell types respond by discriminating different levels of signal, and that the signals are the mating pheromones. Responding cells that are supersensitive to signal fail to discriminate pheromone-producing from nonproducing cells to an extent that depends on their degree of supersensitivity. We propose that partner selection in S. cerevisiae results from polarized morphogenesis of a responding cell in the direction of highest pheromone concentration and that cells defective in discriminating this gradient execute a default pathway in which an adjacent cell is selected at random.

Courtship in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: an early cell-cell interaction during mating

During conjugation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two cells of opposite mating type (MATa and MAT alpha) fuse to form a diploid zygote. Conjugation requires that each cell locate an appropriate mating partner. To investigate how yeast cells select a mating partner, we developed a competition mating assay in which wild-type MAT alpha cells have a choice of two MATa cell mating partners. We first demonstrated that sterile MAT alpha 1 cells (expressing no a- or alpha-specific gene products) do not compete with fertile MATa cells in the assay; hence, wild-type MATa and MAT alpha cells can efficiently locate an appropriate mating partner. Second, we showed that a MATa strain need not be fertile to compete with a fertile MATa strain in the assay. This result defines an early step in conjugation, which we term courtship. We showed that the ability to agglutinate is not necessary in MATa cells for courtship but that production of a-pheromone and response to alpha-pheromone are necessary. Thus, MATa cells must not only transmit but must also receive and then respond to information for effective courtship; hence, there is a "conversation" between the courting cells. We showed that the only alpha-pheromone-induced response necessary in MATa cells for courtship is production of a-pheromone. In all cases tested, a strain producing a higher level of a-pheromone was more proficient in courtship than one producing a lower level. We propose that during courtship, a MAT alpha cell selects the adjacent MATa cell producing the highest level of a-pheromone.

Checkpoints: controls that ensure the order of cell cycle events

The events of the cell cycle of most organisms are ordered into dependent pathways in which the initiation of late events is dependent on the completion of early events. In eukaryotes, for example, mitosis is dependent on the completion of DNA synthesis. Some dependencies can be relieved by mutation (mitosis may then occur before completion of DNA synthesis), suggesting that the dependency is due to a control mechanism and not an intrinsic feature of the events themselves. Control mechanisms enforcing dependency in the cell cycle are here called checkpoints. Elimination of checkpoints may result in cell death, infidelity in the distribution of chromosomes or other organelles, or increased susceptibility to environmental perturbations such as DNA damaging agents. It appears that some checkpoints are eliminated during the early embryonic development of some organisms; this fact may pose special problems for the fidelity of embryonic cell division.

The C-terminus of the S. cerevisiae alpha-pheromone receptor mediates an adaptive response to pheromone

STE2 encodes a component of the S. cerevisiae alpha-pheromone receptor that is essential for induction of physiological changes associated with mating. Analysis of C-terminal truncation mutants of STE2 demonstrated that the essential sequences for ligand binding and signal transduction are included within a region containing seven putative transmembrane domains. However, truncation of the C-terminal 105 amino acids of the receptor resulted in a 4- to 5-fold increase in cell-surface pheromone binding sites, a 10-fold increase in pheromone sensitivity, a defect in recovery of cell division after pheromone treatment, and a defect in pheromone-induced morphogenesis. Overproduction of STE2 resulted in about a 6-fold increase in alpha-pheromone binding capacity but did not produce the other phenotypes associated with the ste2-T326 mutant receptor. We conclude that the C-terminus of the receptor is responsible for one aspect of cellular adaptation to pheromone that is distinct from adaptation controlled by the SST2 gene, for decreasing the stability of the receptor, and for some aspect of cellular morphogenesis.

The RAD9 gene controls the cell cycle response to DNA damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cell division is arrested in many organisms in response to DNA damage. Examinations of the genetic basis for this response in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicate that the RAD9 gene product is essential for arrest of cell division induced by DNA damage. Wild-type haploid cells irradiated with x-rays either arrest or delay cell division in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Irradiated G1 and M phase haploid cells arrest irreversibly in G2 and die, whereas irradiated G2 phase haploid cells delay in G2 for a time proportional to the extent of damage before resuming cell division. In contrast, irradiated rad9 cells in any phase of the cycle do not delay cell division in G2, but continue to divide for several generations and die. However, efficient DNA repair can occur in irradiated rad9 cells if irradiated cells are blocked for several hours in G2 by treatment with a microtubule poison. The RAD9-dependent response detects potentially lethal DNA damage and causes arrest of cells in G2 until such damage is repaired.

The structure of sister minichromosome DNA before anaphase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The role of DNA topology in holding sister chromatids together before anaphase was investigated by analyzing the structure of a small circular minichromosome in cell cycle (cdc) mutants of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the majority of cells arrested after S phase but before anaphase, sister minichromosome molecules are not topologically interlocked with each other. The analysis of the ploidy of minichromosomes in cells that are released from arrest demonstrates that the sister molecules are properly segregated when the cell cycle block is removed. Therefore, sister minichromosome molecules need not remain topologically interlocked until anaphase in order to be properly segregated, and topological interlocking of sister DNA molecules apparently is not the primary force holding sister chromatids together.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants unresponsive to alpha-factor pheromone: alpha-factor binding and extragenic suppression

Mutations in six genes that eliminate responsiveness of Saccharomyces cerevisiae a cells to alpha-factor were examined by assaying the binding of radioactively labeled alpha-factor to determine whether their lack of responsiveness was due to the absence of alpha-factor receptors. The ste2 mutants, known to be defective in the structural gene for the receptor, were found to lack receptors when grown at the restrictive temperature; these mutations probably affect the assembly of active receptors. Mutations in STE12 known to block STE2 mRNA accumulation also resulted in an absence of receptors. Mutations in STE4, 5, 7, and 11 partially reduced the number of binding sites, but this reduction was not sufficient to explain the loss of responsiveness; the products of these genes appear to affect postreceptor steps of the response pathway. As a second method of distinguishing the roles of the various STE genes, we examined the sterile mutants for suppression. Mating of the ste2-3 mutant was apparently limited by its sensitivity to alpha-factor, as its sterility was suppressed by mutation sst2-1, which leads to enhanced alpha-factor sensitivity. Sterility resulting from each of four ste4 mutations was suppressed partially by mutation sst2-1 or by mutation bar1-1 when one of three other mutations (ros1-1, ros2-1, or ros3-1) was also present. Sterility of the ste5-3 mutant was suppressed by mutation ros1-1 but not by sst2-1. The ste7, 11, and 12 mutations were not suppressed by ros1 or sst2. Our working model is that STE genes control the response to alpha-factor at two distinct steps. Defects at one step (requiring the STE2 gene are suppressed (directly or indirectly) by mutation sst2-1, whereas defects at the other step (requiring the STE5 gene) are suppressed by the ros1-1 mutation. The ste4 mutants are defective for both steps. Mutation ros1-1 was found to be allelic to cdc39-1. Map positions for genes STE2, STE12, ROS3, and FUR1 were determined.

A genetic analysis of dicentric minichromosomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have developed an assay in S. cerevisiae in which clones of cells that contain intact dicentric minichromosomes are visually distinct from those that have rearranged to monocentric minichromosomes. We find that the instability of dicentric minichromosomes is apparently due to mitotic nondisjunction accompanied by occasional structural rearrangements. Monocentric minichromosomes arising by rearrangement of the plasmid are rapidly selected in the population since dicentric minichromosomes depress the rate of cell division. We show that the ability of one centromere to compete with another in dicentric minichromosomes requires the presence of both of the conserved structural elements, CDE II and CDE III. Dicentric minichromosomes can be stabilized if one of the centromeres on the molecule is functionally hypomorphic because of mutations in CDE II even though these mutant centromeres are highly efficient in monocentric molecules. Stable dicentric molecules can also be produced by decreasing the space between two wild-type centromeres on the same molecule. These results suggest plausible pathways for changes in chromosome number that accompany evolution.

Normal stoichiometry of histone dimer sets is necessary for high fidelity of mitotic chromosome transmission

To identify gene products that function stoichiometrically in mitotic chromosome transmission, genes were cloned on high copy number plasmids and transformed into yeast cells, and the transformants were examined for an increase in the frequency of mitotic chromosome loss or recombination resulting from the gene imbalance. When either pair of the yeast histone genes H2A and H2B, or H3 and H4 was present on high copy number plasmids, both chromosomes V and VII exhibited an increased frequency of chromosome loss. The rate of chromosome loss was not elevated when the histone genes were present on single copy plasmids, when their transcription from high copy plasmids was repressed, or when frame-shift mutations were present in the coding sequence. This method for the identification of genes circumvents some of the limitations of traditional mutational analysis and yields the cloned gene.

Isolation of two genes that affect mitotic chromosome transmission in S. cerevisiae

Two DNA sequences that reduce mitotic fidelity of chromosome transmission have been identified: MIF1 and MIF2. MIF1 is a unique sequence located on the right arm of chromosome XII that stimulates loss and recombination for both chromosomes V and VII when present in a high copy number plasmid. MIF1 is not essential for cell division but is necessary for the normal fidelity of chromosome transmission. MIF2 is a unique sequence located 15 cM distal to HIS6 on chromosome IX that induces a high frequency of chromosome VII loss and a lower frequency of chromosome V loss when present in high copy number; it has no effect on mitotic recombination. Disruption of the genomic MIF2 locus was lethal and cells lacking this function arrested division with a terminal phenotype characteristic of a block in DNA replication or nuclear division.

Binding of alpha-factor pheromone to Saccharomyces cerevisiae a cells: dissociation constant and number of binding sites

The number of alpha-factor binding sites on yeast MATa cells (8,000) and the equilibrium dissociation constant (6 X 10(-9) M) were determined from direct binding experiments. These values correct our previously reported estimates (D. D. Jennes, A. C. Burkholder, and L. H. Hartwell, Cell 35:521-529, 1983) that were based on indirect isotope dilution studies, and they lead to a revised rate constant for the association process (kon = 3 X 10(5) mol-1 s-1).

The yeast alpha-factor receptor: structural properties deduced from the sequence of the STE2 gene

The STE2 gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a component of the receptor for the oligopeptide pheromone alpha-factor. We have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequence of the STE2 gene. A sequence involved in the control of cell-type expression of the STE2 gene was found 5' of an open reading frame that could encode a protein of 431 amino acids. The predicted STE2 protein contains seven hydrophobic segments, suggesting that the alpha-factor receptor is an integral membrane protein. No extensive homology at the primary sequence level was detected between the predicted STE2 protein and other available protein sequences.

Altered fidelity of mitotic chromosome transmission in cell cycle mutants of S. cerevisiae

Thirteen of 14 temperature-sensitive mutants deficient in successive steps of mitotic chromosome transmission (cdc2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 20) from spindle pole body separation to a late stage of nuclear division exhibited a dramatic increase in the frequency of chromosome loss and/or mitotic recombination when they were grown at their maximum permissive temperatures. The increase in chromosome loss and/or recombination is likely to be due to the deficiency of functional gene product rather than to an aberrant function of the mutant gene product since the mutant alleles are, with one exception, recessive to the wild-type allele for this phenotype. The generality of this result suggests that a delay in almost any stage of chromosome replication or segregation leads to a decrease in the fidelity of mitotic chromosome transmission. In contrast, temperature-sensitive mutants defective in the control step of the cell cycle (cdc28), in cytokinesis (cdc3) or in protein synthesis (ils1) did not exhibit increased recombination or chromosome loss.--Based upon previous results with mutants and DNA-damaging agents in a variety of organisms, we suggest that the induction of mitotic recombination in certain mutants is due to the action of a repair pathway upon nicks or gaps left in the DNA. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the induced recombination is dependent upon the RAD52 gene product, as essential component in the recombinogenic DNA repair pathway. Gene products whose deficiency leads to induced recombination are, therefore, strong candidates for proteins that function in DNA metabolism. Among the mutants that induce recombination are those known to be defective in some aspect of DNA replication (cdc2, 6, 8, 9) as well as some mutants defective in the G2 (cdc13 and 17) and M (cdc5 and 14) phases of the mitotic cycle. We suggest that special aspects of DNA metabolism may be occurring in G2 and M in order to prepare the chromosomes for proper segregation.

Genetic analysis of the mitotic transmission of minichromosomes

The fidelity of the mitotic transmission of minichromosomes in S. cerevisiae is monitored by a novel visual assay that allows one to detect changes in plasmid copy number in individual mitotic divisions. This assay is used to investigate the mitotic transmission of a plasmid containing a putative yeast origin of replication (ARS 1) and a centromere (CEN3). The rate of improper segregation for the minichromosome is 200-fold higher than observed for a normal chromosome. However, the replication of the minichromosome is stringently controlled; it overreplicates less than once per one thousand mitotic divisions. We also use this assay to isolate and characterize mutations in ARS 1 and CEN3. The mutations in ARS 1 define a new domain required for its optimal activity, and the mutations in CEN3 suggest that the integrity of element II is not essential for centromere function. Finally, the phenotypes of the mutations in ARS 1 and CEN3 are consistent with their function in replication and segregation, respectively.

Binding of alpha-factor pheromone to yeast a cells: chemical and genetic evidence for an alpha-factor receptor

The division cycle of yeast a cells is inhibited by alpha-factor. Haploid a cells were found to bind 35S-labeled alpha-factor, whereas haploid alpha cells and diploid a/alpha cells showed little binding. The association of alpha-factor with a cells was reversible upon dilution. Unlabeled alpha-factor competed for binding of 35S-alpha-factor; the concentration dependence for competition indicated 9 X 10(5) binding sites per cell with a dissociation constant (KD) of 3 X 10(-7) M. The rates of association (kon = 3 X 10(3) M-1 sec-1) and dissociation (koff = 9 X 10(-4) sec-1) were consistent with the equilibrium constant. The alpha-factor binding activity associated with five temperature-sensitive ste2 mutants was thermolabile, suggesting that the STE2 gene encodes the receptor for alpha-factor. In contrast, the binding activity of other temperature-sensitive mutants (ste4, ste5, ste7, ste11, and ste12) showed no thermolability.

Test for temporal or spatial restrictions in gene product function during the cell division cycle

The ability of a functional gene to complement a nonfunctional gene may depend upon the intracellular relationship of the two genes. If so, the function of the gene product in question must be limited in time or in space. CDC (cell division cycle) gene products of Saccharomyces cerevisiae control discrete steps in cell division; therefore, they constitute reasonable candidates for genes that function with temporal or spatial restrictions. In an attempt to reveal such restrictions, we compared the ability of a CDC gene to complement a temperature-sensitive cdc gene in diploids where the genes are located within the same nucleus to complementation in heterokaryons where the genes are located in different nuclei. In CDC X cdc matings, complementation was monitored in rare heterokaryons by assaying the production of cdc haploid progeny (cytoductants) at the restrictive temperature. The production of cdc cytoductants indicates that the cdc nucleus was able to complete cell division at the restrictive temperature and implies that the CDC gene product was provided by the other nucleus or by cytoplasm in the heterokaryon. Cytoductants from cdc28 or cdc37 crosses were not efficiently produced, suggesting that these two genes are restricted spatially or temporally in their function. We found that of the cdc mutants tested 33 were complemented; cdc cytoductants were recovered at least as frequently as CDC cytoductants. A particularly interesting example was provided by the CDC4 gene. Mutations in CDC4 were found previously to produce a defect in both cell division and karyogamy. Surprisingly, the cell division defect of cdc4 nuclei is complemented by CDC4 nuclei in a heterokaryon, whereas the karyogamy defect is not.

Genes that act before conjugation to prepare the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nucleus for caryogamy

Mutations in four nuclear genes, kar1 cdc4, 28, and 37, block or impair nuclear fusion during conjugation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutations in all four genes are recessive for the caryogamy defect; in matings between diploid cells both of which are heterozygous for any one of the four mutations (-/+ X -/+), caryogamy occurs with normal proficiency. However, mutations in all four genes are "nuclear dominant"; that is, both parent nuclei must contribute one wild-type allele of each gene for successful caryogamy. In order to discriminate between two possible models to explain nuclear dominance, we have examined the caryogamy proficiency of mutant nuclei after they had passed through a heterocaryotic cytoplasm. The kar1, cdc28, and cdc37 caryogamy defects are all phenotypically suppressed in this experiment (cdc4 could not be tested). We conclude from our results that the KAR1, CDC28, and CDC37 gene products can diffuse between nuclei in a heterocaryon and that they probably perform their function for caryogamy prior to cell fusion. One simple model consistent with the roles of CDC28 and CDC37 in mitosis as well as in caryogamy is that these gene products are structural components of the nucleus that must be built into it during one cell cycle in order to permit successful caryogamy at the next G1.

A dependent pathway of gene functions leading to chromosome segregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Methyl-benzimidazole-2-ylcarbamate (MBC) inhibits the mitotic cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a stage subsequent to DNA synthesis and before the completion of nuclear division (Quinlan, R. A., C. I. Pogson, and K, Gull, 1980, J Cell Sci., 46: 341-352). The step in the cell cycle that is sensitive to MBC inhibition was ordered to reciprocal shift experiments with respect to the step catalyzed by cdc gene products. Execution of the CDC7 step is required for the initiation of DNA synthesis and for completion of the MBC-sensitive step. Results obtained with mutants (cdc2, 6, 8, 9, and 21) defective in DNA replication and with an inhibitor of DNA replication (hydroxyurea) suggest that some DNA replication required for execution of the MBC-sensitive step but that the completion of replication is not. Of particular interest were mutants (cdc5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 23) that arrest cell division after DNA replication but before nuclear division since previous experiments had not been able to resolve the pathway of events in this part of the cell cycle. Execution of the CDC17 step was found to be a prerequisite for execution of the MBC-sensitive step; the CDC13, 16 and 23 steps are executed independently of the MBC-sensitive step; execution of the MBC-sensitive step is prerequisite for execution of the MBC-sensitive step; execution of the MBC-sensitive step is prerequisite for execution of the CDC14 and 23 steps. These results considerably extend the dependent pathway of events that constitute the cell cycle of S. cerevisiae.

The role of S. cerevisiae cell division cycle genes in nuclear fusion

Forty temperature-sensitive cell division cycle (cdc) mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were examined for their ability to complete nuclear fusion during conjugation in crosses to a CDC parent strain at the restrictive temperature. Most of the cdc mutant alleles behaved as the CDC parent strain from which they were derived, in that zygotes produced predominantly diploid progeny with only a small fraction of zygotes giving rise to haploid progeny (cytoductants) that signalled a failure in nuclear fusion. However, cdc4 mutants exhibited a strong nuclear fusion (karyogamy) defect in crosses to a CDC parent and cdc28, cdc34 and cdc37 mutants exhibited a weak karyogamy defect. For all four mutants, the karyogamy defect and the cell cycle defect cosegregated, suggesting that both defects resulted from a single lesion for each of these cdc mutants. Therefore, the cdc 4, 28, 34 and 37 gene products are required in both cell division and karyogamy.

Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae unresponsive to cell division control by polypeptide mating hormone

Temperature-sensitive mutations that produce insensitivity to division arrest by alpha-factor, a mating pheromone, were isolated in an MATa strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and shown by complementation studies to difine eight genes. All of these mutations (designated ste) produce sterility at the restrictive temperature in MATa cells, and mutations in seven of the genes produce sterility in MAT alpha cells. In no case was the sterility associated with these mutations coorectible by including wild-type cells of the same mating type in the mating test nor did nay of the mutants inhibit mating of the wild-type cells; the defect appears to be intrinsic to the cell for mutations in each of the genes. Apparently, none of the mutants is defective exclusively in division arrest by alpha-factor, as the sterility of none is suppressed by a temperature-sensitive cdc 28 mutation (the latter imposes division arrest at the correct cell cycle stage for mating). The mutants were examined for features that are inducible in MATa cells by alpha-factor (agglutinin synthesis as well as division arrest) and for the characteristics that constitutively distinguish MATa from MAT alpha cells (a-factor production, alpha-factor destruction). ste2 Mutants are defective specifically in the two inducible properties, whereas ste4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 mutants are defective, to varying degrees, in constitutive as well as inducible aspects. Mutations in ste8 and 9 assume a polar budding pattern unlike either MATa or MAT alpha cells but characteristic of MATa/alpha cells. This study defines seven genes that function in two cell types (MATa and alpha) to control the differentiation of cell type and one gene, ste2, that functions exclusively in MATa cells to mediate responsiveness to polypeptide hormone.

Cell division from a genetic perspective

A novel view of the eukaryotic cell cycle is taking form as genetic strategies borrowed from investigations of microbial gene regulation and bacteriophage morphogenesis are being applied to the process of cell division. It is a genetic construct in which mutational lesions identify the primary events, thermolabile gene products reveal temporal order, mutant phenotypes yield pathways of causality, and regulatory events are localized within sequences of gene controlled steps.