Schizosaccharomyces pombe Snf2SR, a novel SNF2 family protein, interacts with Ran GTPase and modulates both RanGEF and RanGAP activities

A snapshot of Snf2 enzymes in fission yeast

Eukaryotic chromatin is remodelled by the evolutionarily conserved Snf2 family of enzymes in an ATP-dependent manner. Several Snf2 enzymes are part of CRCs (chromatin remodelling complexes). In the present review we focus our attention on the functions of Snf2 enzymes and CRCs in fission yeast. We discuss their molecular mechanisms and roles and in regulating gene expression, DNA recombination, euchromatin and heterochromatin structure.

The FUN30 chromatin remodeler, Fft3, protects centromeric and subtelomeric domains from euchromatin formation

The chromosomes of eukaryotes are organized into structurally and functionally discrete domains. This implies the presence of insulator elements that separate adjacent domains, allowing them to maintain different chromatin structures. We show that the Fun30 chromatin remodeler, Fft3, is essential for maintaining a proper chromatin structure at centromeres and subtelomeres. Fft3 is localized to insulator elements and inhibits euchromatin assembly in silent chromatin domains. In its absence, euchromatic histone modifications and histone variants invade centromeres and subtelomeres, causing a mis-regulation of gene expression and severe chromosome segregation defects. Our data strongly suggest that Fft3 controls the identity of chromatin domains by protecting these regions from euchromatin assembly.

Rapid and effective DNA extraction method with bead grinding for a large amount of fungal DNA

To identify a rapid method for extracting a large amount of DNA from fungi associated with food hygiene, extraction methods were compared using fungal pellets formed rapidly in liquid media. Combinations of physical and chemical methods or commercial kits were evaluated with 3 species of yeast, 10 species of ascomycetous molds, and 4 species of zygomycetous molds. Bead grinding was the physical method, followed by chemical methods involving sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and benzyl chloride and two commercial kits. Quantity was calculated by UV absorbance at 260 nm, quality was determined by the ratio of UV absorbance at 260 and 280 nm, and gene amplifications and electrophoresis profiles of whole genomes were analyzed. Bead grinding with the SDS method was the most effective for DNA extraction for yeasts and ascomycetous molds, and bead grinding with the CTAB method was most effective with zygomycetous molds. For both groups of molds, bead grinding with the CTAB method was the best approach for DNA extraction. Because this combination also is relatively effective for yeasts, it can be used to extract a large amount of DNA from a wide range of fungi. The DNA extraction methods are useful for developing gene indexes to identify fungi with molecular techniques, such as DNA fingerprinting.