The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MGT1 DNA repair methyltransferase gene: its promoter and entire coding sequence, regulation and in vivo biological functions

We previously cloned a yeast DNA fragment that, when fused with the bacterial lacZ promoter, produced O6-methylguanine DNA repair methyltransferase (MGT1) activity and alkylation resistance in Escherichia coli (Xiao et al., EMBO J. 10,2179). Here we describe the isolation of the entire MGT1 gene and its promoter by sequence directed chromosome integration and walking. The MGT1 promoter was fused to a lacZ reporter gene to study how MGT1 expression is controlled. MGT1 is not induced by alkylating agents, nor is it induced by other DNA damaging agents such as UV light. However, deletion analysis defined an upstream repression sequence, whose removal dramatically increased basal level gene expression. The polypeptide deduced from the complete MGT1 sequence contained 18 more N-terminal amino acids than that previously determined; the role of these 18 amino acids, which harbored a potential nuclear localization signal, was explored. The MGT1 gene was also cloned under the GAL1 promoter, so that MTase levels could be manipulated, and we examined MGT1 function in a MTase deficient yeast strain (mgt1). The extent of resistance to both alkylation-induced mutation and cell killing directly correlated with MTase levels. Finally we show that mgt1 S.cerevisiae has a higher rate of spontaneous mutation than wild type cells, indicating that there is an endogenous source of DNA alkylation damage in these eukaryotic cells and that one of the in vivo roles of MGT1 is to limit spontaneous mutations.

[Ca2+ channels and the abnormal electrical activity of demyelinated nerve]

Peripheral nerve demyelination was produced in adult rats by placing loosely-constrictive ligatures around the common sciatic nerve. The postoperative behavior of these rats indicated that hyperalgesia, allodynia and possible spontaneous pain were produced. In the meantime, abnormal spontaneous afferent activities (ectopic firings)originating from the demyelinated region were recorded. Evidence showed that the application of Ca2+ and Ca2+ channel blockers modulated the abnormal activity of the injured nerve. Ca2+ facilitation was dependent on its concentration (in the range of 10-20 mol/L), while 40mol/L Ca2+ always abolished firing. Verapamil, as well as La3+, applied locally or i. v. (for verapamil) not only strongly inhibited the spontaneous ectopic firings, but also blocked discharges elicited by tetraethylammonium. It is suggested that newly formed Ca2+ channels on the naked axolemma are largely responsible for the abnormal afferent activities following demyelination of the nerve.

Polymorphism within the nuclear and 2 micron genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Seven strains of bakers' yeast were obtained as a representative sample of the Spanish baking industry. The nuclear genome was monitored for polymorphism by transverse alternating field electrophoresis (TAFE) and restriction maps of 2 micron DNA were produced. All seven strains were uniquely different when evaluated by their total chromosomal lengths whereas only two 2 micron variants were defined. There was no apparent correlation between chromosomal and plasmid polymorphism. The extensive chromosomal polymorphism within one 2 micron DNA type indicates the rapid and relatively recent evolution of the nuclear genome. The hybrid origin (S. cerevisiae-S. monacensis) of lager yeast was critically evaluated by TAFE analysis of S. cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis chromosomes. The absence of corresponding S. cerevisiae chromosomes III and XIII in S. carlsbergensis argued against the hybrid origin of lager strains. We discuss limitations of the hybrid origin hypothesis of industrial yeasts and propose that the molecular coevolution observed in 2 micron DNA serves as a useful additional mechanism for rationalization of some of the structural polymorphism of the nuclear genome.

Primary sequence and biological functions of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae O6-methylguanine/O4-methylthymine DNA repair methyltransferase gene

We previously identified and characterized biochemically an O6-methylguanine (O6MeG) DNA repair methyltransferase (MTase) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and showed that it recognizes both O6MeG and O4-methylthymine (O4MeT) in vitro. Here we characterize the cloned S. cerevisiae O6MeG DNA MTase gene (MGT1) and determine its in vivo role in protecting yeast from DNA alkylation damage. We isolated a yeast DNA fragment that suppressed alkylation-induced killing and mutation in Escherichia coli ada ogt MTase deficient mutants and produced in these cells a protein similar to the yeast MTase. The cloned yeast fragment was mapped to chromosome IV and DNA sequencing identified an open reading frame, designated MGT1, which encodes a 188 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 21,500 daltons. An 88 amino acid stretch of the MGT1 protein displays remarkable homology with four bacterial MTases and the human DNA MTase. S.cerevisiae mutants bearing an insertion in the MGT1 gene lacked DNA MTase activity and were very sensitive to alkylation induced killing and mutation. MGT1 transcript levels are not increased in response to DNA alkylation damage, nor is the MGT1 MTase involved in the regulation of the yeast 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase gene (MAG). Expression of the MGT1 gene in E.coli prevented the induction by alkylating agents of both G:C to A:T and A:T to G:C transition mutations indicating that this eukaryotic MTase repairs both O6MeG and O4MeT in vivo.

Sequence diversity of yeast 2 microns RAF gene and its co-evolution with STB and REP1

Despite the extensive study of yeast 2 microns plasmid, the exact function of plasmid-encoded RAF gene is not clear. Variants of 2 microns plasmids from industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts were isolated and characterized. Sequencing of RAF alleles revealed about 8% nucleotide and 10% amino acid diversities between 2 microns variants of closely related strains, RAF sequence variations were correlated with STB-REP1 sequence diversity. We also used restriction fragment length polymorphism linkage to screen a large number of yeast strains from different fermentation industries. The results clearly show a tight linkage of STB-REP1-RAF variations. Thus, our observations suggest that plasmid-borne cis- and trans-acting elements co-evolved to form an optimal molecular parasite and that RAF may play a role in active plasmid partitioning.

Evidence for cis- and trans-acting element coevolution of the 2-microns circle genome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We compared the DNA sequence of the yeast 2-microns plasmid cis-acting STB and transacting REP1 partition loci of laboratory haploid and industrial amphiploid strains. Several industrial strains had a unique STB sequence (type 1) sharing only 70% homology with laboratory STB (type 2). Type 1 plasmids had a REP1 protein with 6-10% amino acid substitutions when compared to REP1 of type 2 plasmids. All 2-microns variants that shared a similar STB consensus sequence exhibited a high degree of REP1 nucleotide and amino acid sequence conservation. These observations suggest molecular coevolution of trans-acting elements with cognate target DNA structure. Based on DNA sequencing and Southern hybridization analyses, we classified 2-microns variants into two main evolutionary lineages that differ at STB as well as REP1 loci. The role of molecular coevolution in yeast intra- and interspecies plasmid evolution was discussed.

Branched chain amino acid regulation of the ILV2 locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mutant regulatory loci of the branched pathway for the biosynthesis of isoleucine-valine and leucine were identified with the unusual phenotype of an amino acid dependent auxotrophy. Two mutant loci, bcs1 and bcs2, conferred branched chain amino acid sensitivity and showed independent segregation. Linkage studies defined bcs1 as a cis-acting regulatory site of ILV2 (SMR1). ILV2 upstream deletion analyses and high-copy transformation of the positive regulatory locus LEU3 ruled out the possibility of LEU3 protein binding palindromes mediating the branched chain amino acid dependent auxotrophy. In the presence of leucine and valine, the general amino acid control system (GCN4) was epistatic to bcs1 and bcs2, and under nonstarvation conditions GCN4 strains showed an increased acetolactate synthase activity over gcn4 strains. Thus in addition to general regulation of ILV2, GCN4 functions in basal level expression when the locus is subject to specific repression by pathway end product.

An improved method for yeast 2 microns plasmid curing

SMR1-410, a dominant resistance marker, was cloned into the FLP gene of 2 microns DNA to produce the chimeric YEp vector pWX823B. Selection for SMR1-410 at high concentrations of sulfometuron methyl maintained pWX823 at high copy number and resulted in the rapid and efficient loss of native 2 microns DNA. Using this protocol approximately 15% of the cells monitored showed loss of 2 microns DNA. The curing methodology is more efficient and convenient than previous methods and has the added advantage of being applicable to wild-type prototrophic cells.

[Dynamic changes in abnormal afferent activities following peripheral nerve injury]

Peripheral nerve injury by chronic compression caused a decrease in conductive velocity or a delay in the transmission of the action potential, later blocking it completely following demyelination of the damaged nerve region. Abnormal firing activities were recorded from the injured peripheral nerve fibers after the 6-7th postoperative day. There were different patterns of abnormal firing from fibers. Regular tonic ectopic firings with high frequency were always recorded from A beta fibers. A delta/C fibers, however, had burst or irregular spikes. A single antidromic shock to the damaged region sometimes induced ectopic spikes following the expected one. The demyelinated region of the damaged nerve was very sensitive to both tetraethylammonium, a K+ channel blocker, and noradrenaline. The authors suggest that new ion channels or receptors, absent in normal, form in the damaged region.

Cloning of industrial Saccharomyces 2-microns plasmid variants by in vivo site-specific recombination

Southern analyses defined several industrial Saccharomyces yeast strains with extensive 2-microns DNA polymorphism. Variants included insertions and deletions up to several hundred base pairs. To facilitate the investigation of yeast plasmid evolution we developed a novel method of cloning 2-microns plasmids by taking advantage of 2-microns circle in vivo site-specific recombination and an SMRI gene as a dominant selectable marker. This method can be applied to other organisms for the isolation of plasmid variants and provides a new approach to in vivo plasmid construction.

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity of some 1-(difluoromethoxyphenyl)quinolone-3-carboxylic acids

We report on the synthesis of N-1-phenylquinolones in which the difluoromethoxy moiety is utilized as a halogen replacement. The antibacterial activity is discussed with reference to N-1-halophenylquinolones.

The construction of recombinant industrial yeasts free of bacterial sequences by directed gene replacement into a nonessential region of the genome

The yeast SMR1 gene was used as a dominant resistance-selectable marker for industrial yeast transformation and for targeting integration of an economically important gene at the homologous ILV2 locus. A MEL1 gene, which codes for alpha-galactosidase, was inserted into a dispensable upstream region of SMR1 in vitro; different treatments of the plasmid (pWX813) prior to transformation resulted in 3' end, 5' end and replacement integrations that exhibited distinct integrant structures. One-step replacement within a nonessential region of the host genome generated a stable integration of MEL1 devoid of bacterial plasmid DNA. Using this method, we have constructed several alpha-galactosidase positive industrial Saccharomyces strains. Our study provides a general method for stable gene transfer in most industrial Saccharomyces yeasts, including those used in the baking, brewing (ale and lager), distilling, wine and sake industries, with solely nucleotide sequences of interest. The absence of bacterial DNA in the integrant structure facilitates the commercial application of recombinant DNA technology in the food and beverage industry.

FLP-FRT mediated intrachromosomal recombination on a tandemly duplicated YEp integrant at the ILV2 locus of chromosome XIII in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A YEp chimaeric plasmid carrying SMR1 and URA3 genetic markers was integrated into chromosome XIII at the ilv2-delta 1 locus in a [cir (o)] background. The 1.5 kb BglII deletion of ilv2-delta 1 allowed the clear identification of an integrant structure which consisted of a direct tandem duplication (TD) of the chimaeric plasmid. Within the integrant structure, a single copy of the plasmid sequence was flanked by a direct duplication of the 2 microns site-specific recombinase (FLP) recognition target (FRT). Isogenic [cir (o)] and [cir+] diploids formed by crossing the [cir (o)] TD strain to complementary haploids were analyzed for plasmid marker loss and chromosomal DNA alterations in the presence and absence of selection pressure for the URA3 and SMR1 plasmid borne markers. [cir (o)] diploids showed no plasmid marker loss and maintained the TD structure. In the absence of selection pressure, the [cir+] diploid underwent FLP-FRT mediated unequal interchromatid recombination, resulting in the breakage-fusion-bridge cycle and homozygotization of chromosome XIII (Rank et al. 1988). Maintenance of selection pressure for the centromere distal plasmid URA3 marker selected against FLP-FRT interchromatid recombinants so that the effects of site specific recombinase on intrachromatid recombination could be evaluated. Intrachromatid recombination at the directly duplicated FRT sites of the TD structure resulted in the loss of a diagnostic internal fragment. These results show that in the presence of FLP, FRT sites separated by up to 13.3 kb of chromosomal DNA function as substrates for intra and interchromatid recombination.

The yeast ILV2 gene is under general amino acid control

The yeast ILV2 gene encodes acetolactate synthase, the first enzyme in the biosynthesis of isoleucine and valine. Its multiple regulation has precluded the clear demonstration of whether ILV2 is under general amino acid control. Nonderepressible gcn4 strains were used as recipients for transformation with a YCp plasmid carrying GCN4. Parental gcn4 cells and their isogenic GCN4 transformants were evaluated for ALS derepression following induced amino acid starvation. GCN4 cells showed 1.5- to 1.7-fold derepression but no derepression was observed in isogenic control gcn4 strains. A similar depression of ILV2 mRNA was also observed. Genetic evidence for general amino acid control was the gcn4 suppression of high level resistance to sulfometuron methyl by the SMRI-410 allele of ILV2.

Generation of an ilv bradytrophic phenocopy in yeast by antisense RNA

We report for the first time on the regulation of gene expression in yeast by antisense RNA. Chimaeric genes were constructed containing the 5' upstream and partial coding sequence of SMR1--a sulfometuron methyl resistant allele of the ILV2 locus. Such fragments were placed 5' to 3' and 3' to 5' under control of the GAL10 promoter and CYC1 terminator in a high copy YEp plasmid. Following galactose induction only transformants containing antisense RNA genes showed biological activity against SMR1 gene expression. Antisense RNA inhibited synthesis of the SMR1 gene product acetolactate synthase and thus repressed cellular growth which resulted in a bradytrophic auxotroph revertable by addition of isoleucine and valine. Antisense RNA inhibition was enhanced in galactose medium containing sulfometuron methyl and in gcn4 cells deficient for positive regulation of the ILV2 locus. This system can be used to study factors that interfere with antisense RNA function and to assign biological function to randomly cloned DNA fragments.

A transient duplication of the acetolactate synthase gene in a cell culture of Datura innoxia

A 2.0 kb fragment of the yeast ILV2 gene, which codes for the target enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS) of the herbicide chlorsulfuron, was shown to hybridize to the nuclear DNA of a haploid cell culture of Datura innoxia P. Mill. Nuclear DNA of a chlorsulfuron resistant line of D. innoxia, CSR6, gave a prominent 2.65 kb band when cleaved by either EcoRI or HindIII. The 2.65 kb band has been shown to hybridize with the yeast ILV2 probe. A herbicide resistant line descended from CSR6 by continuous culture resulted in the loss of the 2.65 kb restriction fragment. These observations suggest that CSR6 resulted from a large tandem duplication of the ALS gene and that a point mutation for herbicide resistance in an ALS gene repeat unit of the duplication was selected during subsequent growth of the resistant line.

Mapping the chloroplast genome of triazine resistant canola

The chloroplast of a triazine resistant weed biotype of Brassica campestris (bird's rape) has been transferred by repeated back-crossing into an agriculturally important strain, 'Tower', of Brassica napus to form a triazine resistant cultivar of canola, 'Triton', that is low in both erucic acid and thioglucosinolate. In this report, the B. campestris derived chloroplast chromosome of B. napus (cv 'Triton') has been cloned into bacterial plasmids and physically mapped for eight restriction enzymes: Apa I, Bam HI, BglI, Hind III, Pst I, Pvu II, Sac I and Xho I. The genes for rRNA, rbcL, cytF, atpA, atpB, atpE, atpH and the triazine resistance gene, psbA were located on the map by heterologous hybridization. The directions of transcription for most of these genes were determined by reverse heterologous hybridization.