Fission yeast genes which disrupt mitotic chromosome segregation when overexpressed

Cdc42 prevents precocious Rho1 activation during cytokinesis in a Pak1-dependent manner

During cytokinesis, a series of coordinated events partition a dividing cell. Accurate regulation of cytokinesis is essential for proliferation and genome integrity. In fission yeast, these coordinated events ensure that the actomyosin ring and septum start ingressing only after chromosome segregation. How cytokinetic events are coordinated remains unclear. The GTPase Cdc42 promotes recruitment of certain cell wall-building enzymes whereas the GTPase Rho1 activates these enzymes. We show that Cdc42 prevents early Rho1 activation during fission yeast cytokinesis. Using an active Rho probe, we find that although the Rho1 activators Rgf1 and Rgf3 localize to the division site in early anaphase, Rho1 is not activated until late anaphase, just before the onset of ring constriction. We find that loss of Cdc42 activation enables precocious Rho1 activation in early anaphase. Furthermore, we provide functional and genetic evidence that Cdc42-dependent Rho1 inhibition is mediated by the Cdc42 target Pak1 kinase. Our work proposes a mechanism of Rho1 regulation by active Cdc42 to coordinate timely septum formation and cytokinesis fidelity.

Archaeal tRNA-Splicing Endonuclease as an Effector for RNA Recombination and Novel Trans-Splicing Pathways in Eukaryotes

We have characterized a homodimeric tRNA endonuclease from the euryarchaeota Ferroplasma acidarmanus (FERAC), a facultative anaerobe which can grow at temperatures ranging from 35 to 42 °C. This enzyme, contrary to the eukaryal tRNA endonucleases and the homotetrameric Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (METJA) homologs, is able to cleave minimal BHB (bulge–helix–bulge) substrates at 30 °C. The expression of this enzyme in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (SCHPO) enables the use of its properties as effectors by inserting BHB motif introns into hairpin loops normally seen in mRNA transcripts. In addition, the FERAC endonuclease can create proteins with new functionalities through the recombination of protein domains.

Perturbation of kinetochore function using GFP-binding protein in fission yeast

Using genetic mutations to study protein functions in vivo is a central paradigm of modern biology. Single-domain camelid antibodies generated against GFP have been engineered as nanobodies or GFP-binding proteins (GBPs) that can bind GFP as well as some GFP variants with high affinity and selectivity. In this study, we have used GBP-mCherry fusion protein as a tool to perturb the natural functions of a few kinetochore proteins in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We found that cells simultaneously expressing GBP-mCherry and the GFP-tagged inner kinetochore protein Cnp1 are sensitive to high temperature and microtubule drug thiabendazole (TBZ). In addition, kinetochore-targeted GBP-mCherry by a few major kinetochore proteins with GFP tags causes defects in faithful chromosome segregation. Thus, this setting compromises the functions of kinetochores and renders cells to behave like conditional mutants. Our study highlights the potential of using GBP as a general tool to perturb the function of some GFP-tagged proteins in vivo with the objective of understanding their functional relevance to certain physiological processes, not only in yeasts, but also potentially in other model systems.

A lncRNA-regulated gene expression system with rapid induction kinetics in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is an excellent model organism for the study of eukaryotic cellular physiology. The organism is genetically tractable and several tools to study the functions of individual genes are available. One such tool is regulatable gene expression and overproduction of proteins. Limitations of currently available overexpression systems include delay in expression after induction, narrow dynamic range, and system-wide changes due to induction conditions. Here I describe a new long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-regulated, thiamine-inducible expression system that integrates lncRNA-based transcriptional interference at the fission yeast tgp1 promoter with the fast repression kinetics of the thiamine-repressible nmt1 promoter. This hybrid system has rapid induction kinetics, broad dynamic range, and tunable expression via thiamine concentration. The lncRNA-regulated thiamine-inducible system will be advantageous for the study of individual genes and for potential applications in the production of heterologous proteins in fission yeast.

Pheromone-inducible expression vectors for fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is an attractive host for heterologous gene expression. However, expression systems for industrially viable large-scale fermentations are scarce. Several inducible expression vectors for S. pombe have been reported, with the strong thiamine-repressible nmt1⁺ promoter or derivatives thereof most commonly employed. Previously, the promoter regions of the genes sxa2⁺ and rep1⁺ were utilized to couple pheromone signaling to the expression of reporter genes for quantitative assessment of the cellular response to mating pheromones. Here, we exploit these promoters to serve as highly effective, plasmid-based inducible expression systems for S. pombe. Simply by adding synthetic P-factor pheromone, both promoters conferred 50-60% higher peak expression levels than the nmt1⁺ promoter. Full induction was significantly faster than observed for nmt1⁺-based expression platforms. Furthermore, the sxa2⁺ promoter showed very low basal activity and an overall 584-fold induction by synthetic P-factor pheromone. The dose-response curves of both promoters were assessed, providing the opportunity for facile tuning of the expression level by modulating P-factor concentration. Since the expression plasmids relying on the sxa2⁺ and rep1⁺ promoters require neither medium exchange nor glucose/thiamine starvation, they proved to be very convenient in handling. Hence, these expression vectors will improve the palette of valuable genetic tools for S. pombe, applicable to both basic research and biotechnology.

Genetic Analysis of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

In this introduction we discuss some basic genetic tools and techniques that are used with the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe Genes commonly used for selection or as reporters are discussed, with an emphasis on genes that permit counterselection, intragenic complementation, or colony-color assays. S. pombe is most stable as a haploid organism. We describe its mating-type system, how to perform genetic crosses and methods for selecting and propagating diploids. We discuss the relative merits of tetrad dissection and random spore preparation in strain construction and genetic analyses. Finally, we present several types of mutant screens, with an evaluation of their respective strengths and limitations in the light of emerging technologies such as next-generation sequencing.

Inner nuclear membrane protein Lem2 augments heterochromatin formation in response to nutritional conditions

Inner nuclear membrane proteins interact with chromosomes in the nucleus and are important for chromosome activity. Lem2 and Man1 are conserved members of the LEM-domain nuclear membrane protein family. Mutations of LEM-domain proteins are associated with laminopathy, but their cellular functions remain unclear. Here, we report that Lem2 maintains genome stability in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. S. pombe cells disrupted for the lem2(+) gene (lem2∆) showed slow growth and increased rate of the minichromosome loss. These phenotypes were prominent in the rich culture medium, but not in the minimum medium. Centromeric heterochromatin formation was augmented upon transfer to the rich medium in wild-type cells. This augmentation of heterochromatin formation was impaired in lem2∆ cells. Notably, lem2∆ cells occasionally exhibited spontaneous duplication of genome sequences flanked by the long-terminal repeats of retrotransposons. The resulting duplication of the lnp1(+) gene, which encodes an endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein, suppressed lem2∆ phenotypes, whereas the lem2∆ lnp1∆ double mutant showed a severe growth defect. A combination of mutations in Lem2 and Bqt4, which encodes a nuclear membrane protein that anchors telomeres to the nuclear membrane, caused synthetic lethality. These genetic interactions imply that Lem2 cooperates with the nuclear membrane protein network to regulate genome stability.

Hydrophobin-Based Surface Engineering for Sensitive and Robust Quantification of Yeast Pheromones

Detection and quantification of small peptides, such as yeast pheromones, are often challenging. We developed a highly sensitive and robust affinity-assay for the quantification of the α-factor pheromone of Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on recombinant hydrophobins. These small, amphipathic proteins self-assemble into highly stable monolayers at hydrophilic-hydrophobic interfaces. Upon functionalization of solid supports with a combination of hydrophobins either lacking or exposing the α-factor, pheromone-specific antibodies were bound to the surface. Increasing concentrations of the pheromone competitively detached the antibodies, thus allowing for quantification of the pheromone. By adjusting the percentage of pheromone-exposing hydrophobins, the sensitivity of the assay could be precisely predefined. The assay proved to be highly robust against changes in sample matrix composition. Due to the high stability of hydrophobin layers, the functionalized surfaces could be repeatedly used without affecting the sensitivity. Furthermore, by using an inverse setup, the sensitivity was increased by three orders of magnitude, yielding a novel kind of biosensor for the yeast pheromone with the lowest limit of detection reported so far. This assay was applied to study the pheromone secretion of diverse yeast strains including a whole-cell biosensor strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe modulating α-factor secretion in response to an environmental signal.

Analysis of the Histone H3.1 Interactome: A Suitable Chaperone for the Right Event

Despite minimal disparity at the sequence level, mammalian H3 variants bind to distinct sets of polypeptides. Although histone H3.1 predominates in cycling cells, our knowledge of the soluble complexes that it forms en route to deposition or following eviction from chromatin remains limited. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the H3.1-binding proteome, with emphasis on its interactions with histone chaperones and components of the replication fork. Quantitative mass spectrometry revealed 170 protein interactions, whereas a large-scale biochemical fractionation of H3.1 and associated enzymatic activities uncovered over twenty stable protein complexes in dividing human cells. The sNASP and ASF1 chaperones play pivotal roles in the processing of soluble histones but do not associate with the active CDC45/MCM2-7/GINS (CMG) replicative helicase. We also find TONSL-MMS22L to function as a H3-H4 histone chaperone. It associates with the regulatory MCM5 subunit of the replicative helicase.

The role of frataxin in fission yeast iron metabolism: implications for Friedreich's ataxia

BACKGROUND

The neurodegenerative disease Friedreich's ataxia is the result of frataxin deficiency. Frataxin is a mitochondrial protein involved in iron-sulfur cluster (Fe-S) cofactor biogenesis, but its functional role in this pathway is debated. This is due to the interconnectivity of iron metabolic and oxidative stress response pathways that make distinguishing primary effects of frataxin deficiency challenging. Since Fe-S cluster assembly is conserved, frataxin overexpression phenotypes in a simple eukaryotic organism will provide additional insight into frataxin function.

METHODS

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe frataxin homologue (fxn1) was overexpressed from a plasmid under a thiamine repressible promoter. The S. pombe transformants were characterized at several expression strengths for cellular growth, mitochondrial organization, iron levels, oxidative stress, and activities of Fe-S cluster containing enzymes.

RESULTS

Observed phenotypes were dependent on the amount of Fxn1 overexpression. High Fxn1 overexpression severely inhibited S. pombe growth, impaired mitochondrial membrane integrity and cellular respiration, and led to Fxn1 aggregation. Cellular iron accumulation was observed at moderate Fxn1 overexpression but was most pronounced at high levels of Fxn1. All levels of Fxn1 overexpression up-regulated oxidative stress defense and mitochondrial Fe-S cluster containing enzyme activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the presence of oxidative stress and accumulated iron, activation of Fe-S cluster enzymes was common to all levels of Fxn1 overexpression; therefore, Fxn1 may regulate the efficiency of Fe-S cluster biogenesis in S. pombe.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

We provide evidence that suggests that dysregulated Fe-S cluster biogenesis is a primary effect of both frataxin overexpression and deficiency as in Friedreich's ataxia.

A thiamine-regulatable epitope-tagged protein expression system in fission yeast

Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the fission yeast, has been a popular and useful model system for investigating the mechanisms of biological processes for a long time. To facilitate purification, localization, and functional analysis of gene products, a wide range of expression vectors have been developed. Several of these vectors utilize the inducible/repressible promoter systems and enable the episomal expression of proteins as fusion proteins with epitope tags attached to their N terminus or C terminus.This chapter provides a detailed protocol for expression of the epitope-tagged proteins from thiamine-regulatable nmt promoter in fission yeast. The yeast culture conditions and procedures for yeast transformation, expression induction, preparation of whole-cell extracts, and analysis of epitope-tagged protein expression by Western blotting are described.

Going in the right direction: mating-type switching of Schizosaccharomyces pombe is controlled by judicious expression of two different swi2 transcripts

Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the fission yeast, cells alternate between P- and M-mating type, controlled by the alternate alleles of the mating-type locus (mat1). The mat1 switching occurs by replacing mat1 with a copy derived from a silenced "donor locus," mat2P or mat3M. The mechanism of donor choice ensuring that switching occurs primarily and productively to the opposite type, called directionality, is largely unknown. Here we identified the mat1-Mc gene, a mammalian sex-determination gene (SRY) homolog, as the primary gene that dictates directionality in M cells. A previously unrecognized, shorter swi2 mRNA, a truncated form of the swi2, was identified, and its expression requires the mat1-Mc function. We also found that the abp1 gene (human CENPB homolog) controls directionality through swi2 regulation. In addition, we implicated a cis-acting DNA sequence in mat2 utilization. Overall, we showed that switching directionality is controlled by judicious expression of two swi2 transcripts through a cell-type-regulated dual promoter. In this respect, this regulation mechanism resembles that of the Drosophila sex-determination Slx gene.

Altered nuclear tRNA metabolism in La-deleted Schizosaccharomyces pombe is accompanied by a nutritional stress response involving Atf1p and Pcr1p that is suppressible by Xpo-t/Los1p

Deletion of the sla1(+) gene, which encodes a homologue of the human RNA-binding protein La in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, causes irregularities in tRNA processing, with altered distribution of pre-tRNA intermediates. We show, using mRNA profiling, that cells lacking sla1(+) have increased mRNAs from amino acid metabolism (AAM) genes and, furthermore, exhibit slow growth in Edinburgh minimal medium. A subset of these AAM genes is under control of the AP-1-like, stress-responsive transcription factors Atf1p and Pcr1p. Although S. pombe growth is resistant to rapamycin, sla1-Δ cells are sensitive, consistent with deficiency of leucine uptake, hypersensitivity to NH4, and genetic links to the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway. Considering that perturbed intranuclear pre-tRNA metabolism and apparent deficiency in tRNA nuclear export in sla1-Δ cells may trigger the AAM response, we show that modest overexpression of S. pombe los1(+) (also known as Xpo-t), encoding the nuclear exportin for tRNA, suppresses the reduction in pre-tRNA levels, AAM gene up-regulation, and slow growth of sla1-Δ cells. The conclusion that emerges is that sla1(+) regulates AAM mRNA production in S. pombe through its effects on nuclear tRNA processing and probably nuclear export. Finally, the results are discussed in the context of stress response programs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Clr4/Suv39 and RNA quality control factors cooperate to trigger RNAi and suppress antisense RNA

Pervasive transcription of eukaryotic genomes generates a plethora of noncoding RNAs. In fission yeast, the heterochromatin factor Clr4/Suv39 methyltransferase facilitates RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated processing of centromeric transcripts into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Clr4 also mediates degradation of antisense RNAs at euchromatic loci, but the underlying mechanism has remained elusive. We show that Clr4 and the RNAi effector RITS (RNA-induced transcriptional silencing) interact with Mlo3, a protein related to mRNA quality control and export factors. Loss of Clr4 impairs RITS interaction with Mlo3, which is required for centromeric siRNA production and antisense suppression. Mlo3 also interacts with the RNA surveillance factor TRAMP, which suppresses antisense RNAs targeted by Clr4 and RNAi. These findings link Clr4 to RNA quality control machinery and suggest a pathway for processing potentially deleterious RNAs through the coordinated actions of RNAi and other RNA processing activities.

Nuclear protein quality is regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system through the activity of Ubc4 and San1 in fission yeast

Eukaryotic cells monitor and maintain protein quality through a set of protein quality control (PQC) systems whose role is to minimize the harmful effects of the accumulation of aberrant proteins. Although these PQC systems have been extensively studied in the cytoplasm, nuclear PQC systems are not well understood. The present work shows the existence of a nuclear PQC system mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Asf1-30, a mutant form of the histone chaperone Asf1, was used as a model substrate for the study of the nuclear PQC. A temperature-sensitive Asf1-30 protein localized to the nucleus was selectively degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The Asf1-30 mutant protein was highly ubiquitinated at higher temperatures, and it remained stable in an mts2-1 mutant, which lacks proteasome activity. The E2 enzyme Ubc4 was identified among 11 candidate proteins as the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in this system, and San1 was selected among 100 candidates as the ubiquitin ligase (E3) targeting Asf1-30 for degradation. San1, but not other nuclear E3s, showed specificity for the mutant nuclear Asf1-30, but did not show activity against wild-type Asf1. These data clearly showed that the aberrant nuclear protein was degraded by a defined set of E1-E2-E3 enzymes through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The data also show, for the first time, the presence of a nuclear PQC system in fission yeast.

Tip1/CLIP-170 protein is required for correct chromosome poleward movement in fission yeast

The plus-end microtubule binding proteins (+TIPs) play an important role in the regulation of microtubule stability and cell polarity during interphase. In S. pombe, the CLIP-170 like protein Tip1, together with the kinesin Tea2, moves along the microtubules towards their plus ends. Tip1 also requires the EB1 homolog Mal3 to localize to the microtubule tips. Given the requirement for Tip1 for microtubule stability, we have investigated its role during spindle morphogenesis and chromosome movement. Loss of Tip1 affects metaphase plate formation and leads to the activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. In the absence of Tip1 we also observed the appearance of lagging chromosomes, which do not influence the normal rate of spindle elongation. Our results suggest that S. pombe Tip1/CLIP170 is directly or indirectly required for correct chromosome poleward movement independently of Mal3/EB1.

Fission yeast Rad26ATRIP delays spindle-pole-body separation following interphase microtubule damage

The conserved fission yeast protein Rad26(ATRIP) preserves genomic stability by occupying central positions within DNA-structure checkpoint pathways. It is also required for proper cellular morphology, chromosome stability and following treatment with microtubule poisons. Here, we report that mutation of a putative nuclear export sequence in Rad26(ATRIP) disrupted its cytoplasmic localization in untreated cells and conferred abnormal cellular morphology, minichromosome instability and sensitivity to microtubule poisons without affecting DNA-structure checkpoint signaling. This mutation also disrupted a delay to spindle-pole-body separation that occurred following microtubule damage in G(2). Together, these results demonstrate that Rad26(ATRIP) participates in two genetically defined checkpoint pathways--one that responds to genomic damage and the other to microtubule damage. This response to microtubule damage delays spindle-pole-body separation and, in doing so, might preserve both cellular morphology and chromosome stability.

Molecular genetics of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

In this chapter we present basic protocols for the use of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, commonly known as fission yeast, in molecular biology and genetics research. Fission yeast is an increasingly popular model organism for the study of biological pathways because of its genetic tractability and as a model for metazoan biology. It provides an alternative and complimentary approach to Saccharomyces cerevisiae for addressing questions of cell biology, physiology, genetics, and genomics/proteomics. We include details and considerations for growing fission yeast, information on crosses and genetics, gene targeting and transformation, cell synchrony and analysis, and molecular biology protocols.

Identification of brassinosteroid responsive genes in Arabidopsis by cDNA array

We have systematically monitored brassinosteroid (BR) responsive genes in a BR-deficient mutant det2 suspension culture of Arabidopsis by using a cDNA array approach. Among 13000 cDNA clones arrayed on filters, 53 BR responsive clones were identified and designated BRR1-BRR53. Sequence analysis of 43 clones showed that 19 clones are novel genes, 3 clones are genes involved in the control of cell division, 4 clones are genes related to plant stress responses, 4 clones are transcriptional factor or signal transduction component genes, and 3 clones are genes involved in RNA splicing or structure forming. In addition, we also found that BR regulated the transcription of genes related to many physiological processes, such as photoreaction, ion transportation and some metabolic processes. These findings present molecular evidence that BR plays an essential role in plant growth and development.

Mapping epigenetic mutations in fission yeast using whole-genome next-generation sequencing

Fission yeast is an important model for epigenetic studies due to the ease with which genetic mutants can be isolated. However, it can be difficult to complement epigenetic phenotypes with genomic libraries in order to identify the genes responsible. This is because epigenetic phenotypes are typically unstable, and can prohibit complementation if silencing cannot be reestablished. Here we have resequenced the fission yeast genome following mutagenesis to readily identify a novel mutant involved in heterochromatic silencing. Candidate genes were identified as functional single base changes linked to the mutation, which were then reconstituted in a wild-type strain to recapitulate the mutant phenotype. By this procedure we identified a weak allele of ubc4, which encodes an essential E2 ubiquitin ligase, as responsible for the swi*603 mutant phenotype. In combination with a large collection of mutants and suppressor plasmids, next-generation genomic resequencing promises to dramatically enhance the power of yeast genetics, permitting the isolation of subtle alleles of essential genes, alleles with quantitative effects, and enhancers and suppressors of heterochromatic silencing.

Conservation of divergent transcription in fungi

The comparison of fully sequenced genomes enables the study of selective constraints that determine genome organisation. We show that, in fungi, adjacent divergently transcribed (<---->) genes are more conserved in orientation than convergent (--><--) or co-oriented (-->-->) gene pairs. Furthermore, the time divergent orientation of two genes is conserved correlates with the degree of their co-expression and with the likelihood of them being functionally related. The functional interactions of the proteins encoded by the conserved divergent gene pairs indicate a potential for protein function prediction in eukaryotes.

Combined analysis reveals a core set of cycling genes

The simultaneous analysis of expression data from multiple species reveals a core set of conserved cycling genes that is much larger than previously thought.

Background

Global transcript levels throughout the cell cycle have been characterized using microarrays in several species. Early analysis of these experiments focused on individual species. More recently, a number of studies have concluded that a surprisingly small number of genes conserved in two or more species are periodically transcribed in these species. Combining and comparing data from multiple species is challenging because of noise in expression data, the different synchronization and scoring methods used, and the need to determine an accurate set of homologs.

Results

To solve these problems, we developed and applied a new algorithm to analyze expression data from multiple species simultaneously. Unlike previous studies, we find that more than 20% of cycling genes in budding yeast have cycling homologs in fission yeast and 5% to 7% of cycling genes in each of four species have cycling homologs in all other species. These conserved cycling genes display much stronger cell cycle characteristics in several complementary high throughput datasets.

Essentiality analysis for yeast and human genes confirms these findings. Motif analysis indicates conservation in the corresponding regulatory mechanisms. Gene Ontology analysis and analysis of the genes in the conserved sets sheds light on the evolution of specific subfunctions within the cell cycle.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the conservation in cyclic expression patterns is much greater than was previously thought. These genes are highly enriched for most cell cycle categories, and a large percentage of them are essential, supporting our claim that cross-species analysis can identify the core set of cycling genes.

Dynein participates in chromosome segregation in fission yeast

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In eukaryotic cells, proper formation of the spindle is necessary for successful cell division. For faithful segregation of sister chromatids, each sister kinetochore must attach to microtubules that extend to opposite poles (chromosome bi-orientation). At the metaphase-anaphase transition, cohesion between sister chromatids is removed, and each sister chromatid is pulled to opposite poles of the cell by microtubule-dependent forces.

RESULTS

We have studied the role of the minus-end-directed motor protein dynein by analysing kinetochore dynamics in fission yeast cells deleted for the dynein heavy chain (Dhc1) or the light chain (Dlc1). In these mutants, we found an increased frequency of cells showing defects in chromosome segregation, which leads to the appearance of lagging chromosomes and an increased rate of chromosome loss. By following simultaneously kinetochore dynamics and localization of the checkpoint protein Mad2, we provide evidence that dynein function is not necessary for spindle-assembly checkpoint inactivation. Instead, we have demonstrated that loss of dynein function alters chromosome segregation and activates the Mad2-dependent spindle-assembly checkpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show an unexpected role for dynein in the control of chromosome segregation in fission yeast, most probably operating during the process of bi-orientation during early mitosis.

An isoquinolinium derivative selectively inhibits MAPK Spc1 of the stress-activated MAPK cascade of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have extended the search for selective inhibitors of the kinases of MAPK cascades by screening a derivative library of one of the isoquinoline rings of the protoberberine backbone. HWY 5069 inhibited the proliferation of wild-type and all mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe examined, except spc1Delta, at a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.76 microM. HWY 5069 also completely inhibited Spc1 kinase activity in vitro with an IC(50) of 16.4 microM as a competitive inhibitor of substrate binding. It was highly selective for Spc1 and did not affect the activity of other kinases in the MAPK cascades of fission yeast and mammals, including functional homologs of Spc1.

The fission yeast DNA structure checkpoint protein Rad26ATRIP/LCD1/UVSD accumulates in the cytoplasm following microtubule destabilization

BACKGROUND

DNA structure checkpoints are conserved eukaryotic signal transduction pathways that help preserve genomic integrity. Upon detecting checkpoint signals such as stalled replication forks or double-stranded DNA breaks, these pathways coordinate appropriate stress responses. Members of the PI-3 kinase related kinase (PIKK) family are essential elements of DNA structure checkpoints. In fission yeast, the Rad3 PIKK and its regulatory subunit Rad26 coordinate the detection of checkpoint signals with pathway outputs.

RESULTS

We found that untreated rad26Delta cells were defective for two microtubule-dependent processes: chromosome segregation and morphogenesis. Interestingly, cytoplasmic accumulation of Rad26-GFP occurred following treatment with microtubule destabilizing drugs, but not during treatment with the genotoxic agent Phleomycin. Cytoplasmic accumulation of Rad26-GFP depended on Rad24, a 14-3-3 protein also required for DNA structure checkpoints and morphogenesis. Results of over expression and epistasis experiments confirm that Rad26 and Rad24 define a response to microtubule destabilizing conditions.

CONCLUSION

Two DNA structure checkpoint proteins with roles in morphogenesis define a response to microtubule destabilizing conditions.

Consequences of defective tubulin folding on heterodimer levels, mitosis and spindle morphology in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In budding yeast, the essential roles of microtubules include segregating chromosomes and positioning the nucleus during mitosis. Defects in these functions can lead to aneuploidy and cell death. To ensure proper mitotic spindle and cytoplasmic microtubule formation, the cell must maintain appropriate stoichiometries of alpha- and beta-tubulin, the basic subunits of microtubules. The experiments described here investigate the minimal levels of tubulin heterodimers needed for mitotic function. We have found a triple-mutant strain, pac10Delta plp1Delta yap4Delta, which has only 20% of wild-type tubulin heterodimer levels due to synthesis and folding defects. The anaphase spindles in these cells are approximately 64% the length of wild-type spindles. The mutant cells are viable and accurately segregate chromosomes in mitosis, but they do have specific defects in mitosis such as abnormal nuclear positioning. The results establish that cells with 20% of wild-type levels of tubulin heterodimers can perform essential cellular functions with a short spindle, but require higher tubulin heterodimer concentrations to attain normal spindle length and prevent mitotic defects.

Identification of the down-regulated genes in a mat1-2-deleted strain of Gibberella zeae, using cDNA subtraction and microarray analysis

Gibberella zeae (anamorph: Fusarium graminearum), a self-fertile ascomycete, is an important pathogen of cereal crops. Here, we have focused on the genes specifically controlled by the mating type (MAT) locus, a master regulator of sexual developmental process in G. zeae. To identify these genes, we employed suppression subtractive hybridization between a G. zeae wild-type strain Z03643 and the isogenic self-sterile mat1-2 strain T43deltaM2-2. Both reverse Northern and cDNA microarray analyses using 291 subtractive unigenes confirmed that 58.8% (171 genes) were significantly down-regulated in T43deltaM2-2. Among these, 98 could be either manually or automatically annotated based on known functions of their possible homologs. Northern blot analysis revealed that all of the genes examined were differentially regulated by MAT1-2 during sexual development. This study is the first report on the set of genes that are transcriptionally altered by the deletion of MAT1-2 during sexual reproduction in G. zeae.

Basic methods for fission yeast

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a popular model system, and has been particularly influential in studies of the cell cycle and chromosome dynamics. Despite its differences from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the tools and methods for fission yeast are conceptually similar to those used in budding yeast. Here, we present basic methods sufficient for a beginner in this system to carry out most required manipulations for genetic analysis or molecular biology.

A family of mammalian E3 ubiquitin ligases that contain the UBR box motif and recognize N-degrons

A subset of proteins targeted by the N-end rule pathway bear degradation signals called N-degrons, whose determinants include destabilizing N-terminal residues. Our previous work identified mouse UBR1 and UBR2 as E3 ubiquitin ligases that recognize N-degrons. Such E3s are called N-recognins. We report here that while double-mutant UBR1(-/-) UBR2(-/-) mice die as early embryos, the rescued UBR1(-/-) UBR2(-/-) fibroblasts still retain the N-end rule pathway, albeit of lower activity than that of wild-type fibroblasts. An affinity assay for proteins that bind to destabilizing N-terminal residues has identified, in addition to UBR1 and UBR2, a huge (570 kDa) mouse protein, termed UBR4, and also the 300-kDa UBR5, a previously characterized mammalian E3 known as EDD/hHYD. UBR1, UBR2, UBR4, and UBR5 shared a approximately 70-amino-acid zinc finger-like domain termed the UBR box. The mammalian genome encodes at least seven UBR box-containing proteins, which we propose to call UBR1 to UBR7. UBR1(-/-) UBR2(-/-) fibroblasts that have been made deficient in UBR4 as well (through RNA interference) were significantly impaired in the degradation of N-end rule substrates such as the Sindbis virus RNA polymerase nsP4 (bearing N-terminal Tyr) and the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase (bearing N-terminal Phe). Our results establish the UBR box family as a unique class of E3 proteins that recognize N-degrons or structurally related determinants for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis and perhaps other processes as well.

Homolog of BRCA2-interacting Dss1p and Uap56p link Mlo3p and Rae1p for mRNA export in fission yeast

The breast cancer tumor suppressor BRCA2-interacting protein, DSS1, and its homologs are critical for DNA recombination in eukaryotic cells. We found that Dss1p, along with Mlo3p and Uap56p, Schizosaccharomyces pombe homologs of two messenger RNA (mRNA) export factors of the NXF-NXT pathway, is required for mRNA export in S. pombe. Previously, we showed that the nuclear pore-associated Rae1p is an essential mRNA export factor in S. pombe. Here, we show that Dss1p and Uap56p function by linking mRNA adapter Mlo3p to Rae1p for targeting mRNA-protein complex (mRNP) to the proteins of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Dss1p preferentially recruits to genes in vivo and interacts with -FG (phenylalanine glycine) nucleoporins in vivo and in vitro. Thus, Dss1p may function at multiple steps of mRNA export, from mRNP biogenesis to their targeting and translocation through the NPC.

Biochemical and genetic characterization of Yra1p in budding yeast

Yra1p and its vertebrate homologues bind to the mRNA export factor Mex67p/TAP and are thought to play a role in mRNA export in vivo. To further characterize Yra1p, we used immunoaffinity chromatography to purify endogenous Yra1p complexes. These experiments demonstrated that two importin beta homologues (Kap123p and Pse1p) and the poly A tail-binding proteins Pab1p and Nab2p associate with Yra1p. The other major proteins that associate with Yra1p include proteins involved in mRNA and rRNA processing and the Yra1p-related protein Yra2p. Additional biochemical and genetic experiments suggest a close functional relationship between Yra1p and Yra2p. We generated a temperature-sensitive allele of YRA1 and used it to demonstrate that cells which lack the function of both Yra1p and Yra2p are able to exit a G0 arrest and go through several rounds of cell division before arresting. We also identified high-copy suppressors of the yra1-2 temperature-sensitive growth defect. These include SUB2, a splicing factor important in mRNA export, ULP1, a nuclear cysteine protease localized to the nuclear pore and involved in Smt3p/SUMO processing, and YRA2. Taken together, these results suggest that Yra1p has roles in diverse RNA processing events in addition to a role in mRNA export.

A Novel Step in β-Tubulin Folding Is Important for Heterodimer Formation inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Undimerized β-tubulin is toxic in the yeast S. cerevisiae. It can arise if levels of β-tubulin and α-tubulin are unbalanced or if the tubulin heterodimer dissociates. We are using the toxicity of β-tubulin to understand early steps in microtubule morphogenesis. We find that deletion of PLP1 suppresses toxic β-tubulin formed by disparate levels of α- and β-tubulin. That suppression occurs either when α-tubulin is modestly underexpressed relative to β-tubulin or when β-tubulin is inducibly and strongly overexpressed. Plp1p does not affect tubulin expression. Instead, a significant proportion of the undimerized β-tubulin in plp1Δ cells is less toxic than that in wild-type cells. It is also less able to combine with α-tubulin to form a heterodimer. As a result, plp1Δ cells have lower levels of heterodimer. Importantly, plp1Δ cells that also lack Pac10, a component of the GimC/PFD complex, are even less affected by free β-tubulin. Our results suggest that Plp1p defines a novel early step in β-tubulin folding.

Two ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, UbcP1/Ubc4 and UbcP4/Ubc11, have distinct functions for ubiquitination of mitotic cyclin

Cell cycle events are regulated by sequential activation and inactivation of Cdk kinases. Mitotic exit is accomplished by the inactivation of mitotic Cdk kinase, which is mainly achieved by degradation of cyclins. The ubiquitin-proteasome system is involved in this process, requiring APC/C (anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome) as a ubiquitin ligase. In Xenopus and clam oocytes, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes that function with APC/C have been identified as two proteins, UBC4 and UBCx/E2-C. Previously we reported that the fission yeast ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcP4/Ubc11, a homologue of UBCx/E2-C, is required for mitotic transition. Here we show that the other fission yeast ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, UbcP1/Ubc4, which is homologous to UBC4, is also required for mitotic transition in the same manner as UbcP4/Ubc11. Both ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes are essential for cell division and directly required for the degradation of mitotic cyclin Cdc13. They function nonredundantly in the ubiquitination of CDC13 because a defect in ubcP1/ubc4+ cannot be suppressed by high expression of UbcP4/Ubc11 and a defect in ubcP4/ubc11+ cannot be suppressed by high expression of UbcP1/Ubc4. In vivo analysis of the ubiquitinated state of Cdc13 shows that the ubiquitin chains on Cdc13 were short in ubcP1/ubc4 mutant cells while ubiquitinated Cdc13 was totally reduced in ubcP4/ubc11 mutant cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the two ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes play distinct and essential roles in the degradation of mitotic cyclin Cdc13, with the UbcP4/Ubc11-pathway initiating ubiquitination of Cdc13 and the UbcP1/Ubc4-pathway elongating the short ubiquitin chains on Cdc13.

mcl1+, the Schizosaccharomyces pombe homologue of CTF4, is important for chromosome replication, cohesion, and segregation

The fission yeast minichromosome loss mutant mcl1-1 was identified in a screen for mutants defective in chromosome segregation. Missegregation of the chromosomes in mcl1-1 mutant cells results from decreased centromeric cohesion between sister chromatids. mcl1+ encodes a beta-transducin-like protein with similarity to a family of eukaryotic proteins that includes Ctf4p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sepB from Aspergillus nidulans, and AND-1 from humans. The previously identified fungal members of this protein family also have chromosome segregation defects, but they primarily affect DNA metabolism. Chromosomes from mcl1-1 cells were heterogeneous in size or structure on pulsed-field electrophoresis gels and had elongated heterogeneous telomeres. mcl1-1 was lethal in combination with the DNA checkpoint mutations rad3delta and rad26delta, demonstrating that loss of Mcl1p function leads to DNA damage. mcl1-1 showed an acute sensitivity to DNA damage that affects S-phase progression. It interacts genetically with replication components and causes an S-phase delay when overexpressed. We propose that Mcl1p, like Ctf4p, has a role in regulating DNA replication complexes.

Genome-wide search of Schizosaccharomyces pombe genes causing overexpression-mediated cell cycle defects

Genetic studies in yeasts enable an in vivo analysis of gene functions required for the cell division cycle (cdc genes) in eukaryotes. In order to characterize new functions involved in cell cycle regulation, we searched for genes causing cell division defects by overexpression in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. By using this dominant genetic strategy, 26 independent clones were isolated from a Sz. pombe cDNA library. The cloned cDNAs were partially sequenced and identified by computer analysis. The 26 clones isolated corresponded to 21 different genes. Among them, six were genes previously characterized in Sz. pombe, 11 were homologues to genes identified and characterized in other organisms, and four represented genes with unknown functions. In addition to known cell cycle regulators encoding inhibitory protein kinases (wee1, pka1) and DNA checkpoint proteins (Pcna, rad24), we have identified genes that are involved in a number of cellular processes. This includes protein synthesis (ribosomal proteins L7, L10, L29, L41, S6, S11, S17 and the PolyA-Binding Protein PABP), protein degradation (UBI3), nucleolar rRNA expression (fib, imp1, dbp2), cell cytoskeleton (act1) and glycolysis (pfk1). The interference caused in the cell cycle by overexpression of these genes may elucidate novel mechanisms coupling different cellular processes with the control of the cell division. The effect caused by some of them is described in more detail.

The fission yeast ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes UbcP3, Ubc15, and Rhp6 affect transcriptional silencing of the mating-type region

Genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II are silenced when introduced near the mat2 or mat3 mating-type loci of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Silencing is mediated by a number of gene products and cis-acting elements. We report here the finding of novel trans-acting factors identified in a screen for high-copy-number disruptors of silencing. Expression of cDNAs encoding the putative E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes UbcP3, Ubc15 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), or Rhp6 (Rad homolog pombe) from the strong nmt1 promoter derepressed the silent mating-type loci mat2 and mat3 and reporter genes inserted nearby. Deletion of rhp6 slightly derepressed an ade6 reporter gene placed in the mating-type region, whereas disruption of ubcP3 or ubc15 had no obvious effect on silencing. Rhp18 is the S. pombe homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad18p, a DNA-binding protein that physically interacts with Rad6p. Rhp18 was not required for the derepression observed when UbcP3, Ubc15, or Rhp6 was overproduced. Overexpressing Rhp6 active-site mutants showed that the ubiquitin-conjugating activity of Rhp6 is essential for disruption of silencing. However, high dosage of UbcP3, Ubc15, or Rhp6 was not suppressed by a mutation in the 26S proteasome, suggesting that loss of silencing is not due to an increased degradation of silencing factors but rather to the posttranslational modification of proteins by ubiquitination. We discuss the implications of these results for the possible modes of action of UbcP3, Ubc15, and Rhp6.

Different phenotypes in vivo are associated with ATPase motif mutations in Schizosaccharomyces pombe minichromosome maintenance proteins

The six conserved MCM proteins are essential for normal DNA replication. They share a central core of homology that contains sequences related to DNA-dependent and AAA(+) ATPases. It has been suggested that the MCMs form a replicative helicase because a hexameric subcomplex formed by MCM4, -6, and -7 proteins has in vitro DNA helicase activity. To test whether ATPase and helicase activities are required for MCM protein function in vivo, we mutated conserved residues in the Walker A and Walker B motifs of MCM4, -6, and -7 and determined that equivalent mutations in these three proteins have different in vivo effects in fission yeast. Some mutations reported to abolish the in vitro helicase activity of the mouse MCM4/6/7 subcomplex do not affect the in vivo function of fission yeast MCM complex. Mutations of consensus CDK sites in Mcm4p and Mcm7p also have no phenotypic consequences. Co-immunoprecipitation analyses and in situ chromatin-binding experiments were used to study the ability of the mutant Mcm4ps to associate with the other MCMs, localize to the nucleus, and bind to chromatin. We conclude that the role of ATP binding and hydrolysis is different for different MCM subunits.

The yeast hnRNP-Like proteins Yra1p and Yra2p participate in mRNA export through interaction with Mex67p

Yra1p is an essential nuclear protein which belongs to the evolutionarily conserved REF (RNA and export factor binding proteins) family of hnRNP-like proteins. Yra1p contributes to mRNA export in vivo and directly interacts with RNA and the shuttling mRNP export receptor Mex67p in vitro. Here we describe a second nonessential Saccharomyces cerevisiae family member, called Yra2p, which is able to complement a YRA1 deletion when overexpressed. Like other REF proteins, Yra1p and Yra2p consist of two highly conserved N- and C-terminal boxes and a central RNP-like RNA-binding domain (RBD). These conserved regions are separated by two more variable regions, N-vr and C-vr. Surprisingly, the deletion of a single conserved box or the deletion of the RBD in Yra1p does not affect viability. Consistently, neither the conserved N and C boxes nor the RBD is required for Mex67p and RNA binding in vitro. Instead, the N-vr and C-vr regions both interact with Mex67p and RNA. We further show that Yra1 deletion mutants which poorly interact with Mex67p in vitro affect the association of Mex67p with mRNP complexes in vivo and are paralleled by poly(A)(+) RNA export defects. These observations support the idea that Yra1p promotes mRNA export by facilitating the recruitment of Mex67p to the mRNP.

Construction of FLAG and histidine tagging vectors for Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Schizosaccharomyces pombe is becoming an increasingly popular model system for investigating important cellular processes. To facilitate detection, purification and functional studies of Sz. pombe gene products, we constructed two tagging expression vectors for use in Sz. pombe. These vectors allow proteins to be expressed ectopically as fusion proteins with a FLAG epitope and six histidine residue tags attached to their N-terminus or C-terminus. The function and applicability of these vectors were examined and the results are shown using the N-terminal tagging vector encoding Sfc6p, a subunit of the Sz. pombe RNA polymerase III general transcription factor, TFIIIC.

Fission yeast myosin-I, Myo1p, stimulates actin assembly by Arp2/3 complex and shares functions with WASp

Fission yeast myo1(+) encodes a myosin-I with all three tail homology domains (TH1, 2, 3) found in typical long-tailed myosin-Is. Myo1p tail also contains a COOH-terminal acidic region similar to the A-domain of WASp/Scar proteins and other fungal myosin-Is. Our analysis shows that Myo1p and Wsp1p, the fission yeast WASp-like protein, share functions and cooperate in controlling actin assembly. First, Myo1p localizes to cortical patches enriched at tips of growing cells and at sites of cell division. Myo1p patches partially colocalize with actin patches and are dependent on an intact actin cytoskeleton. Second, although deletion of myo1(+) is not lethal, Deltamyo1 cells have actin cytoskeletal defects, including loss of polarized cell growth, delocalized actin patches, and mating defects. Third, additional disruption of wsp1(+) is synthetically lethal, suggesting that these genes may share functions. In mapping the domains of Myo1p tail that share function with Wsp1p, we discovered that a Myo1p construct with just the head and TH1 domains is sufficient for cortical localization and to rescue all Deltamyo1 defects. However, it fails to rescue the Deltamyo1 Deltawsp1 lethality. Additional tail domains, TH2 and TH3, are required to complement the double mutant. Fourth, we show that a recombinant Myo1p tail binds to Arp2/3 complex and activates its actin nucleation activity.

SAF-Box, a conserved protein domain that specifically recognizes scaffold attachment region DNA

SARs (scaffold attachment regions) are candidate DNA elements for partitioning eukaryotic genomes into independent chromatin loops by attaching DNA to proteins of a nuclear scaffold or matrix. The interaction of SARs with the nuclear scaffold is evolutionarily conserved and appears to be due to specific DNA binding proteins that recognize SARs by a mechanism not yet understood. We describe a novel, evolutionarily conserved protein domain that specifically binds to SARs but is not related to SAR binding motifs of other proteins. This domain was first identified in human scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A) and was thus designated SAF-Box. The SAF-Box is present in many different proteins ranging from yeast to human in origin and appears to be structurally related to a homeodomain. We show here that SAF-Boxes from four different origins, as well as a synthetic SAF-Box peptide, bind to natural and artificial SARs with high specificity. Specific SAR binding of the novel domain is achieved by an unusual mass binding mode, is sensitive to distamycin but not to chromomycin, and displays a clear preference for long DNA fragments. This is the first characterization of a specific SAR binding domain that is conserved throughout evolution and has DNA binding properties that closely resemble that of the unfractionated nuclear scaffold.

A mutation in gamma-tubulin alters microtubule dynamics and organization and is synthetically lethal with the kinesin-like protein pkl1p

Mitotic segregation of chromosomes requires spindle pole functions for microtubule nucleation, minus end organization, and regulation of dynamics. gamma-Tubulin is essential for nucleation, and we now extend its role to these latter processes. We have characterized a mutation in gamma-tubulin that results in cold-sensitive mitotic arrest with an elongated bipolar spindle but impaired anaphase A. At 30 degrees C cytoplasmic microtubule arrays are abnormal and bundle into single larger arrays. Three-dimensional time-lapse video microscopy reveals that microtubule dynamics are altered. Localization of the mutant gamma-tubulin is like the wild-type protein. Prediction of gamma-tubulin structure indicates that non-alpha/beta-tubulin protein-protein interactions could be affected. The kinesin-like protein (klp) Pkl1p localizes to the spindle poles and spindle and is essential for viability of the gamma-tubulin mutant and in multicopy for normal cell morphology at 30 degrees C. Localization and function of Pkl1p in the mutant appear unaltered, consistent with a redundant function for this protein in wild type. Our data indicate a broader role for gamma-tubulin at spindle poles in regulating aspects of microtubule dynamics and organization. We propose that Pkl1p rescues an impaired function of gamma-tubulin that involves non-tubulin protein-protein interactions, presumably with a second motor, MAP, or MTOC component.

REF, an evolutionary conserved family of hnRNP-like proteins, interacts with TAP/Mex67p and participates in mRNA nuclear export

Vertebrate TAP and its yeast ortholog Mex67p are involved in the export of messenger RNAs from the nucleus. TAP has also been implicated in the export of simian type D viral RNAs bearing the constitutive transport element (CTE). Although TAP directly interacts with CTE-bearing RNAs, the mode of interaction of TAP/Mex67p with cellular mRNAs is different from that with the CTE RNA and is likely to be mediated by protein-protein interactions. Here we show that Mex67p directly interacts with Yra1p, an essential yeast hnRNP-like protein. This interaction is evolutionarily conserved as Yra1p also interacts with TAP. Conditional expression in yeast cells implicates Yra1 p in the export of cellular mRNAs. Database searches revealed that Yra1p belongs to an evolutionarily conserved family of hnRNP-like proteins having more than one member in Mus musculus, Xenopus laevis, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe and at least one member in several species including plants. The murine members of the family directly interact with TAP. Because members of this protein family are characterized by the presence of one RNP-motif RNA-binding domain and exhibit RNA-binding activity, we called these proteins REF-bps for RNA and export factor binding proteins. Thus, Yra1p and members of the REF family of hnRNP-like proteins may facilitate the interaction of TAP/Mex67p with cellular mRNAs.

Myosin-II tails confer unique functions in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: characterization of a novel myosin-II tail

Schizosaccharomyces pombe has two myosin-IIs, Myo2p and Myp2p, which both concentrate in the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. We studied the phenotype of mutant myosin-II strains to examine whether these myosins have overlapping functions in the cell. myo2(+) is essential. myp2(+) cannot rescue loss of myo2(+) even at elevated levels of expression. myp2(+) is required under specific nutritional conditions; thus myo2(+) cannot rescue under these conditions. Studies with chimeras show that the tails rather than the structurally similar heads determine the gene-specific functions of myp2(+) and myo2(+). The Myo2p tail is a rod-shaped coiled-coil dimer that aggregates in low salt like other myosin-II tails. The Myp2p tail is monomeric in high salt and is insoluble in low salt. Biophysical properties of the full-length Myp2p tail and smaller subdomains indicate that two predicted coiled-coil regions fold back on themselves to form a rod-shaped antiparallel coiled coil. This suggests that Myp2p is the first type II myosin with only one head. The C-terminal two-thirds of Myp2p tail are essential for function in vivo and may interact with components of the salt response pathway.

Nuclear localization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mcm2/Cdc19p requires MCM complex assembly

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins MCM2-MCM7 are conserved eukaryotic replication factors that assemble in a heterohexameric complex. In fission yeast, these proteins are nuclear throughout the cell cycle. In studying the mechanism that regulates assembly of the MCM complex, we analyzed the cis and trans elements required for nuclear localization of a single subunit, Mcm2p. Mutation of any single mcm gene leads to redistribution of wild-type MCM subunits to the cytoplasm, and this redistribution depends on an active nuclear export system. We identified the nuclear localization signal sequences of Mcm2p and showed that these are required for nuclear targeting of other MCM subunits. In turn, Mcm2p must associate with other MCM proteins for its proper localization; nuclear localization of MCM proteins thus requires assembly of MCM proteins in a complex. We suggest that coupling complex assembly to nuclear targeting and retention ensures that only intact heterohexameric MCM complexes remain nuclear.

New yeast genes important for chromosome integrity and segregation identified by dosage effects on genome stability

Phenotypes produced by gene overexpression may provide important clues to gene function. Here, we have performed a search for genes that affect chromo-some stability when overexpressed in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have obtained clones encompassing 30 different genes. Twenty-four of these genes have been previously characterized. Most of them are involved in chromatin dynamics, cell cycle control, DNA replication or mitotic chromosome segregation. Six novel genes obtained in this screen were named CST (chromosome stability). Based on the pattern of genomic instability, inter-action with checkpoint mutations and sensitivity to chromosome replication or segregation inhibitors, we conclude that overexpression of CST4 specifically interferes with mitotic chromosome segregation, and CST6 affects some aspect of DNA metabolism. The other CST genes had complex pleiotropic phenotypes. We have created deletions of five genes obtained in this screen, CST9, CST13, NAT1, SBA1 and FUN30. None of these genes is essential for viability, and deletions of NAT1 and SBA1 cause chromosome instability, a phenotype not previously associated with these genes. This work shows that analysis of dosage effects is complementary to mutational analysis of chromosome transmission fidelity, as it allows the identification of chromosome stability genes that have not been detected in mutational screens.

Vectors for the expression of tagged proteins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

A series of vectors is described which enables the episomal expression of proteins fused to different tag sequences in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Proteins can be expressed with their amino termini fused to GFP/EGFP, three copies of the HA or Pk epitopes or a combined tag which contains two copies of the myc epitope and six histidine residues (MH). Fusion of the carboxyl terminus of a protein to a tag is possible with GFP/EGFP or Pk. Expression of the fusion proteins is controlled by the medium strength mutant version of the regulatable nmt1 promoter.

Transient inhibition of histone deacetylation alters the structural and functional imprint at fission yeast centromeres

Histone acetylation may act to mark and maintain transcriptionally active or inactive chromosomal domains through the cell cycle and in different lineages. A novel role for histone acetylation in centromere regulation has been identified. Exposure of fission yeast cells to TSA, a specific inhibitor of histone deacetylase, interferes with repression of marker genes in centromeric heterochromatin, causes chromosome loss, and disrupts the localization of Swi6p, a component of centromeric heterochromatin. Transient TSA treatment induces a heritable hyperacetylated state in centromeric chromatin that is propagated in lineages in the absence of drug. This state is linked in cis to the treated centromere locus and correlates with inheritance of functionally defective centromeres and persistent chromosome segregation problems. Thus, assembly of fully functional centromeres is partly imprinted in the underacetylated or transcriptionally silent state of centromeric chromatin.