1
|
Bérard M, Merlini L, Martin SG. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses reveal that TORC1 is reactivated by pheromone signaling during sexual reproduction in fission yeast. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002963. [PMID: 39705284 PMCID: PMC11750111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2024] [Revised: 01/21/2025] [Accepted: 12/02/2024] [Indexed: 12/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Starvation, which is associated with inactivation of the growth-promoting TOR complex 1 (TORC1), is a strong environmental signal for cell differentiation. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, nitrogen starvation has distinct physiological consequences depending on the presence of mating partners. In their absence, cells enter quiescence, and TORC1 inactivation prolongs their life. In presence of compatible mates, TORC1 inactivation is essential for sexual differentiation. Gametes engage in paracrine pheromone signaling, grow towards each other, fuse to form the diploid zygote, and form resistant, haploid spore progenies. To understand the signaling changes in the proteome and phospho-proteome during sexual reproduction, we developed cell synchronization strategies and present (phospho-)proteomic data sets that dissect pheromone from starvation signals over the sexual differentiation and cell-cell fusion processes. Unexpectedly, these data sets reveal phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 during sexual development, which we establish requires TORC1 activity. We demonstrate that TORC1 is re-activated by pheromone signaling, in a manner that does not require autophagy. Mutants with low TORC1 re-activation exhibit compromised mating and poorly viable spores. Thus, while inactivated to initiate the mating process, TORC1 is reactivated by pheromone signaling in starved cells to support sexual reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Bérard
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laura Merlini
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sophie G. Martin
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cohen A, Lubenski L, Mouzon A, Kupiec M, Weisman R. TORC2 is required for the accumulation of γH2A in response to DNA damage. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107531. [PMID: 38971312 PMCID: PMC11321321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
TOR protein kinases serve as the catalytic subunit of the TORC1 and TORC2 complexes, which regulate cellular growth, proliferation, and survival. In the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cells lacking TORC2 or its downstream kinase Gad8 (AKT or SGK1 in human cells) exhibit sensitivity to a wide range of stress conditions, including DNA damage stress. One of the first responses to DNA damage is the phosphorylation of C-terminal serine residues within histone H2AX in human cells (γH2AX), or histone H2A in yeast cells (γH2A). The kinases responsible for γH2A in S. pombe are the two DNA damage checkpoint kinases Rad3 and Tel1 (ATR and ATM, respectively, in human cells). Here we report that TORC2-Gad8 signaling is required for accumulation of γH2A in response to DNA damage and during quiescence. Using the TOR-specific inhibitor, Torin1, we demonstrate that the effect of TORC2 on γH2A in response to DNA damage is immediate, rather than adaptive. The lack of γH2A is restored by deletion mutations of transcription and chromatin modification factors, including loss of components of Paf1C, SAGA, Mediator, and the bromo-domain proteins Bdf1/Bdf2. Thus, we suggest that TORC2-Gad8 may affect the accumulation of γH2A by regulating chromatin structure and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adiel Cohen
- Department of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ranana, Israel
| | - Lea Lubenski
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine & Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ava Mouzon
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine & Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Martin Kupiec
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine & Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Weisman
- Department of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ranana, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Basier C, Nurse P. TOR regulates variability of protein synthesis rates. EMBO J 2024; 43:1618-1633. [PMID: 38499788 PMCID: PMC11021518 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00075-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular processes are subject to inherent variability, but the extent to which cells can regulate this variability has received little investigation. Here, we explore the characteristics of the rate of cellular protein synthesis in single cells of the eukaryote fission yeast. Strikingly, this rate is highly variable despite protein synthesis being dependent on hundreds of reactions which might be expected to average out at the overall cellular level. The rate is variable over short time scales, and exhibits homoeostatic behaviour at the population level. Cells can regulate the level of variability through processes involving the TOR pathway, suggesting there is an optimal level of variability conferring a selective advantage. While this could be an example of bet-hedging, but we propose an alternative explanation: regulated 'loose' control of complex processes of overall cellular metabolism such as protein synthesis, may lead to this variability. This could ensure cells are fluid in control and agile in response to changing conditions, and may constitute a novel organisational principle of complex metabolic cellular systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clovis Basier
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
| | - Paul Nurse
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Laboratory of Yeast Genetics and Cell Biology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alao JP, Legon L, Dabrowska A, Tricolici AM, Kumar J, Rallis C. Interplays of AMPK and TOR in Autophagy Regulation in Yeast. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040519. [PMID: 36831186 PMCID: PMC9953913 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells survey their environment and need to balance growth and anabolism with stress programmes and catabolism towards maximum cellular bioenergetics economy and survival. Nutrient-responsive pathways, such as the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) interact and cross-talk, continuously, with stress-responsive hubs such as the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to regulate fundamental cellular processes such as transcription, protein translation, lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis. Especially in nutrient stresses or deprivations, cells tune their metabolism accordingly and, crucially, recycle materials through autophagy mechanisms. It has now become apparent that autophagy is pivotal in lifespan, health and cell survival as it is a gatekeeper of clearing damaged macromolecules and organelles and serving as quality assurance mechanism within cells. Autophagy is hard-wired with energy and nutrient levels as well as with damage-response, and yeasts have been instrumental in elucidating such connectivities. In this review, we briefly outline cross-talks and feedback loops that link growth and stress, mainly, in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a favourite model in cell and molecular biology.
Collapse
|
5
|
Panigrahi L, Anjum S, Ahmed S. Critical role of Wat1/Pop3 in regulating the TORC1 signalling pathway in fission yeast S. pombe. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 164:103764. [PMID: 36481249 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The target of rapamycin (TOR), a major pathway for the regulation of cell growth and proliferation is conserved from yeast to humans. Fission yeast contains two tor complexes, TORC1 is crucial for cell growth while TORC2 gets activated under stress conditions. Pop3/Wat1, a mammalian Lst8 ortholog is an important component of both TOR complexes and has been implicated in the oxidative stress response pathway. Here in this study, the genetic interaction analysis revealed a synthetic lethal interaction of wat1 with tor2-287 mutant cells. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed Wat1 interacts with TORC1 components Tor2, Mip1, and Tco89 while wat1-17 mutant protein fails to interact with these proteins. In the absence of Wat1, the cells arrest at G1 phase with reduced cell size at non-permissive temperature reminiscent of tor2-287 mutant phenotype. Similarly, inactivation of Wat1 results in the failure of TORC1 mediated phosphorylation of Psk1 and Rps602, leading to dysregulation of amino acid permeases and delocalization of Gaf1, a DNA binding transcription factor. Overall, we have hypothesized that Wat1/Pop3 is required to execute the function of TORC1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lalita Panigrahi
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division, CSIR- Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Simmi Anjum
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Shakil Ahmed
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vijayakumari D, Müller J, Hauf S. Cdc48 influence on separase levels is independent of mitosis and suggests translational sensitivity of separase. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110554. [PMID: 35320724 PMCID: PMC8995007 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cdc48 (p97/VCP) is a AAA-ATPase that can extract ubiquitinated proteins from their binding partners and can cooperate with the proteasome for their degradation. A fission yeast cdc48 mutant (cdc48-353) shows low levels of the cohesin protease, separase, and pronounced chromosome segregation defects in mitosis. Separase initiates chromosome segregation when its binding partner securin is ubiquitinated and degraded. The low separase levels in the cdc48-353 mutant have been attributed to a failure to extract ubiquitinated securin from separase, resulting in co-degradation of separase along with securin. If true, Cdc48 would be important in mitosis. In contrast, we show here that low separase levels in the cdc48-353 mutant are independent of mitosis. Moreover, we find no evidence of enhanced separase degradation in the mutant. Instead, we suggest that the cdc48-353 mutant uncovers specific requirements for separase translation. Our results highlight a need to better understand how this key mitotic enzyme is synthesized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Drisya Vijayakumari
- Department of Biological Sciences and Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Janina Müller
- Department of Biological Sciences and Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Silke Hauf
- Department of Biological Sciences and Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fission Yeast TORC2 Signaling Pathway Ensures Cell Proliferation under Glucose-Limited, Nitrogen-Replete Conditions. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11101465. [PMID: 34680098 PMCID: PMC8533292 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Target of rapamycin (TOR) kinases form two distinct complexes, TORC1 and TORC2, which are evolutionarily conserved among eukaryotes. These complexes control intracellular biochemical processes in response to changes in extracellular nutrient conditions. Previous studies using the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, showed that the TORC2 signaling pathway, which is essential for cell proliferation under glucose-limited conditions, ensures cell-surface localization of a high-affinity hexose transporter, Ght5, by downregulating its endocytosis. The TORC2 signaling pathway retains Ght5 on the cell surface, depending on the presence of nitrogen sources in medium. Ght5 is transported to vacuoles upon nitrogen starvation. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation to cope with nutritional stress, a response which may be conserved from yeasts to mammals.
Collapse
|
8
|
Xie XL, Wei Y, Song YY, Pan GM, Chen LN, Wang G, Zhang SH. Genetic Analysis of Four Sexual Differentiation Process Proteins (isp4/SDPs) in Chaetomium thermophilum and Thermomyces lanuginosus Reveals Their Distinct Roles in Development. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:2994. [PMID: 31969873 PMCID: PMC6956688 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal sexual development requires the involvement of a large number of functional genes. Fungal genes encoding sexual differentiation process proteins (SDPs), isps, have been known for decades. isp4/SDP and its homologs function as oligopeptide transporters (OPTs), yet their roles in reproduction are unknown. Here, we genetically analyzed all four isp4/SDP homologs in the sexual species Chaetomium thermophilum and asexual species Thermomyces lanuginosus. Using single gene deletion mutants, we found that T. lanuginosus SDP (TlSDP) participated in asexual sporulation, whereas the other homologs participated in sexual morphogenesis. In complementary tests, C. thermophilum SDPs (CtSDP1-3) restored sporulation defects in TlSDP deletion strains (ΔTlSDP), and their translated proteins, which were localized onto the cytomembrane, possessed OPT activity. Interestingly, CtSDP2 accumulated at the top of the hyphae played a distinct role in determining the sexual cycle, glutathione transport, and lifespan shortening. A unique 72nt-insertion fragment (72INS) was discovered in CtSDP2. Biological analysis of the 72INS deletion and DsRED-tagged fusion strains implied the involvement of 72INS in fungal growth and development. In contrast to TlSDP, which only contributes to conidial production, the three CtSDPs play important roles in sexual and asexual reproduction, and CtSDP2 harbors a unique functional 72INS that initiates sexual morphogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Li Xie
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Wei
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan-Yue Song
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guan-Ming Pan
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li-Na Chen
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Gang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shi-Hong Zhang
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Reidman S, Cohen A, Kupiec M, Weisman R. The cytosolic form of aspartate aminotransferase is required for full activation of TOR complex 1 in fission yeast. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18244-18255. [PMID: 31641022 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved TOR complex 1 (TORC1) activates cell growth and proliferation in response to nutritional signals. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, TORC1 is essential for vegetative growth, and its activity is regulated in response to nitrogen quantity and quality. Yet, how TORC1 senses nitrogen is poorly understood. Rapamycin, a specific TOR inhibitor, inhibits growth in S. pombe only under conditions in which the activity of TORC1 is compromised. In a genetic screen for rapamycin-sensitive mutations, we isolated caa1-1, a loss-of-function mutation of the cytosolic form of aspartate aminotransferase (Caa1). We demonstrate that loss of caa1 + partially mimics loss of TORC1 activity and that Caa1 is required for full TORC1 activity. Disruption of caa1 + resulted in aspartate auxotrophy, a finding that prompted us to assess the role of aspartate in TORC1 activation. We found that the amino acids glutamine, asparagine, arginine, aspartate, and serine activate TORC1 most efficiently following nitrogen starvation. The glutamine synthetase inhibitor l-methionine sulfoximine abolished the ability of asparagine, arginine, aspartate, or serine, but not that of glutamine, to induce TORC1 activity, consistent with a central role for glutamine in activating TORC1. Neither addition of aspartate nor addition of glutamine restored TORC1 activity in caa1-deleted cells or in cells carrying a Caa1 variant with a catalytic site substitution, suggesting that the catalytic activity of Caa1 is required for TORC1 activation. Taken together, our results reveal the contribution of the key metabolic enzyme Caa1 to TORC1 activity in S. pombe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Reidman
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69977801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adiel Cohen
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, the Open University of Israel, University Road 1, 4353701 Ra'anana, Israel
| | - Martin Kupiec
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69977801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Weisman
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, the Open University of Israel, University Road 1, 4353701 Ra'anana, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tay YD, Leda M, Goryachev AB, Sawin KE. Local and global Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factors for fission yeast cell polarity are coordinated by microtubules and the Tea1-Tea4-Pom1 axis. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.216580. [PMID: 29930085 PMCID: PMC6080602 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.216580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved Rho-family GTPase Cdc42 plays a central role in eukaryotic cell polarity. The rod-shaped fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has two Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), Scd1 and Gef1, but little is known about how they are coordinated in polarized growth. Although the microtubule cytoskeleton is normally not required for polarity maintenance in fission yeast, we show here that when scd1 function is compromised, disruption of microtubules or the polarity landmark proteins Tea1, Tea4 or Pom1 leads to disruption of polarized growth. Instead, cells adopt an isotropic-like pattern of growth, which we term PORTLI growth. Surprisingly, PORTLI growth is caused by spatially inappropriate activity of Gef1. Although most Cdc42 GEFs are membrane associated, we find that Gef1 is a broadly distributed cytosolic protein rather than a membrane-associated protein at cell tips like Scd1. Microtubules and the Tea1–Tea4–Pom1 axis counteract inappropriate Gef1 activity by regulating the localization of the Cdc42 GTPase-activating protein Rga4. Our results suggest a new model of fission yeast cell polarity regulation, involving coordination of ‘local’ (Scd1) and ‘global’ (Gef1) Cdc42 GEFs via microtubules and microtubule-dependent polarity landmarks. Highlighted Article: Cell polarity in fission yeast is regulated by two different Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factors, coordinated by the microtubule-dependent landmark system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Dee Tay
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Marcin Leda
- SynthSys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, CH Waddington Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Andrew B Goryachev
- SynthSys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, CH Waddington Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Kenneth E Sawin
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chia KH, Fukuda T, Sofyantoro F, Matsuda T, Amai T, Shiozaki K. Ragulator and GATOR1 complexes promote fission yeast growth by attenuating TOR complex 1 through Rag GTPases. eLife 2017; 6:30880. [PMID: 29199950 PMCID: PMC5752196 DOI: 10.7554/elife.30880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
TOR complex 1 (TORC1) is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase complex that promotes cellular macromolecular synthesis and suppresses autophagy. Amino-acid-induced activation of mammalian TORC1 is initiated by its recruitment to the RagA/B-RagC/D GTPase heterodimer, which is anchored to lysosomal membranes through the Ragulator complex. We have identified in the model organism Schizosaccharomyces pombe a Ragulator-like complex that tethers the Gtr1-Gtr2 Rag heterodimer to the membranes of vacuoles, the lysosome equivalent in yeasts. Unexpectedly, the Ragulator-Rag complex is not required for the vacuolar targeting of TORC1, but the complex plays a crucial role in attenuating TORC1 activity independently of the Tsc1-Tsc2 complex, a known negative regulator of TORC1 signaling. The GATOR1 complex, which functions as Gtr1 GAP, is essential for the TORC1 attenuation by the Ragulator-Rag complex, suggesting that Gtr1GDP-Gtr2 on vacuolar membranes moderates TORC1 signaling for optimal cellular response to nutrients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Hou Chia
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Fukuda
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan.,Department of Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Fajar Sofyantoro
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan.,Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Takato Matsuda
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Amai
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Shiozaki
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
All organisms can respond to the availability of nutrients by regulating their metabolism, growth, and cell division. Central to the regulation of growth in response to nutrient availability is the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling that is composed of two structurally distinct complexes: TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TOR complex 2 (TORC2). The TOR genes were first identified in yeast as target of rapamycin, a natural product of a soil bacterium, which proved beneficial as an immunosuppressive and anticancer drug and is currently being tested for a handful of other pathological conditions including diabetes, neurodegeneration, and age-related diseases. Studies of the TOR pathway unraveled a complex growth-regulating network. TOR regulates nutrient uptake, transcription, protein synthesis and degradation, as well as metabolic pathways, in a coordinated manner that ensures that cells grow or cease growth in response to nutrient availability. The identification of specific signals and mechanisms that stimulate TOR signaling is an active and exciting field of research that has already identified nitrogen and amino acids as key regulators of TORC1 activity. The signals, as well as the cellular functions of TORC2, are far less well understood. Additional open questions in the field concern the relationships between TORC1 and TORC2, as well as the links with other nutrient-responsive pathways. Here I review the main features of TORC1 and TORC2, with a particular focus on yeasts as model organisms.
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
The control of cell fate, growth and proliferation in response to nitrogen availability is a tightly controlled process, with the two TOR complexes (TORC1 and TORC2) and their effectors playing a central role. PP2A-B55Pab1 has recently been shown to be a key element in this response in fission yeast, where it regulates cell cycle progression and sexual differentiation. Importantly, a recent study from our group has shown that PP2A-B55Pab1 acts as a mediator between the activities of the two TOR signaling modules, enabling a crosstalk that is required to engage in the differentiation program. In this review, we recapitulate the studies that have led to our current understanding of the interplay between TOR complexes. Moreover, we discuss several aspects of the response to nitrogen availability that still require further attention, and which will be important in the future to fully realize the implications of phosphatase activity in the context of TOR signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Martín
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sandra Lopez-Aviles
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ma N, Ma Y, Nakashima A, Kikkawa U, Furuyashiki T. The Loss of Lam2 and Npr2-Npr3 Diminishes the Vacuolar Localization of Gtr1-Gtr2 and Disinhibits TORC1 Activity in Fission Yeast. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156239. [PMID: 27227887 PMCID: PMC4881991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian cells, mTORC1 activity is regulated by Rag GTPases. It is thought that the Ragulator complex and the GATOR (GAP activity towards Rags) complex regulate RagA/B as its GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) and GTPase-activating protein (GAP), respectively. However, the functions of components in these complexes remain elusive. Using fission yeast as a model organism, here we found that the loss of Lam2 (SPBC1778.05c), a homolog of a Ragulator component LAMTOR2, as well as the loss of Gtr1 or Gtr2 phenocopies the loss of Npr2 or Npr3, homologs of GATOR components Nprl2 or Nprl3, respectively. These phenotypes were rescued by TORC1 inhibition using pharmacological or genetic means, and the loss of Lam2, Gtr1, Gtr2, Npr2 or Npr3 disinhibited TORC1 activity under nitrogen depletion, as measured by Rps6 phosphorylation. Consistently, overexpression of GDP-locked Gtr1S20L or GTP-locked Gtr2Q60L, which suppress TORC1 activity in budding yeast, rescued the growth defect of Δgtr1 cells or Δgtr2 cells, respectively, and the loss of Lam2, Npr2 or Npr3 similarly diminished the vacuolar localization and the protein levels of Gtr1 and Gtr2. Furthermore, Lam2 physically interacted with Npr2 and Gtr1. These findings suggest that Lam2 and Npr2-Npr3 function together as a tether for GDP-bound Gtr1 to the vacuolar membrane, thereby suppressing TORC1 activity for multiple cellular functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ma
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yan Ma
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Ushio Kikkawa
- Biosignal Research Center, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Furuyashiki
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
fhl1 gene of the fission yeast regulates transcription of meiotic genes and nitrogen starvation response, downstream of the TORC1 pathway. Curr Genet 2016; 63:91-101. [PMID: 27165118 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-016-0607-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental changes, such as nutrient limitation or starvation induce different signal transducing pathways, which require coordinated cooperation of several genes. Our previous data revealed that the fhl1 fork-head type transcription factor of the fission yeast could be involved in sporulation, which was typically induced under poor conditions. Since the exact role of Fhl1 in this process was not known, we wanted to identify its downstream targets and to investigate its possible cooperation with another known regulator of sporulation. Gene expression and Northern blot analysis of the fhl1∆ mutant strain revealed the target genes involved in mating and sporulation. Our results also showed that Fhl1 could regulate nutrient sensing, the transporter and permease genes. Since the majority of these genes belonged to the nitrogen starvation response, the possible cooperation of fhl1 and tor2 was also investigated. Comparison of their microarray data and the expression of fhl1 + from a strong promoter in the tor2-ts mutant cells suggested that one part of the target genes are commonly regulated by Fhl1 and Tor2. Since the expression of fhl1 + from a strong promoter could rescue rapamycin and temperature sensitivity and suppressed the hyper-sporulation defect of the tor2-ts mutant cells, we believe that Fhl1 acts in TOR signaling, downstream of Tor2. Thus, this work shed light on certain novel details of the regulation of the sexual processes and a new member of the TOR pathway, but further experiments are needed to confirm the involvement of Fhl1 in nutrient sensing.
Collapse
|
16
|
Ma Y, Ma N, Liu Q, Qi Y, Manabe RI, Furuyashiki T. Tor Signaling Regulates Transcription of Amino Acid Permeases through a GATA Transcription Factor Gaf1 in Fission Yeast. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144677. [PMID: 26689777 PMCID: PMC4686964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In the fission yeast, two Tor isoforms, Tor1 and Tor2, oppositely regulate gene expression of amino acid permeases. To elucidate the transcriptional machinery for these regulations, here we have employed the cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE), a method of analyzing expression profiles and identifying transcriptional start sites (TSSs). The loss of Tor1 decreased, and Tor2 inhibition by its temperature sensitive mutation increased, mRNA expression of isp5+, per1+, put4+ and SPBPB2B2.01. In contrast, the loss of Tor1 increased, and Tor2 inhibition decreased, the expression of cat1+. These changes were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. These opposite effects by the loss of Tor1 and Tor2 inhibition appeared to occur evenly across multiple TSSs for the respective genes. The motif discovery analysis based on the CAGE results identified the GATA motifs as a potential cis-regulatory element for Tor-mediated regulation. In the luciferase reporter assay, the loss of Tor1 reduced, and Tor2 inhibition and nitrogen depletion increased, the activity of isp5+ promoter as well as that of a GATAAG reporter. One of the GATAAG motifs in isp5+ promoter was critical for its transcriptional activity, and a GATA transcription factor Gaf1 was critical for the activities of isp5+ promoter and the GATAAG reporter. Furthermore, Tor2 inhibition and nitrogen depletion induced nuclear localization of Gaf1 from the cytosol and its dephosphorylation. These results suggest that Tor2 inhibition, which is known to be induced by nitrogen depletion, promotes nuclear localization of Gaf1, thereby inducing isp5+ transcription through Gaf1 binding to the GATAAG motif in its promoter. Since Gaf1 was also critical for transcription of per1+ and put4+, Tor-Gaf1 signaling may coordinate transcription of multiple amino acid permeases according to nutrient availability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ma
- Division of Pharmacology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Ning Ma
- Division of Pharmacology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Division of Pharmacology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yao Qi
- Division of Pharmacology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ri-ichiroh Manabe
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Furuyashiki
- Division of Pharmacology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
TORC1 Regulates Developmental Responses to Nitrogen Stress via Regulation of the GATA Transcription Factor Gaf1. mBio 2015; 6:e00959. [PMID: 26152587 PMCID: PMC4488950 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00959-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The TOR (target of rapamycin [sirolimus]) is a universally conserved kinase that couples nutrient availability to cell growth. TOR complex 1 (TORC1) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe positively regulates growth in response to nitrogen availability while suppressing cellular responses to nitrogen stress. Here we report the identification of the GATA transcription factor Gaf1 as a positive regulator of the nitrogen stress-induced gene isp7+, via three canonical GATA motifs. We show that under nitrogen-rich conditions, TORC1 positively regulates the phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of Gaf1 via the PP2A-like phosphatase Ppe1. Under nitrogen stress conditions when TORC1 is inactivated, Gaf1 becomes dephosphorylated and enters the nucleus. Gaf1 was recently shown to negatively regulate the transcription induction of ste11+, a major regulator of sexual development. Our findings support a model of a two-faceted role of Gaf1 during nitrogen stress. Gaf1 positively regulates genes that are induced early in the response to nitrogen stress, while inhibiting later responses, such as sexual development. Taking these results together, we identify Gaf1 as a novel target for TORC1 signaling and a step-like mechanism to modulate the nitrogen stress response. TOR complex 1 (TORC1) is an evolutionary conserved protein complex that positively regulates growth and proliferation, while inhibiting starvation responses. In fission yeast, the activity of TORC1 is downregulated in response to nitrogen starvation, and cells reprogram their transcriptional profile and prepare for sexual development. We identify Gaf1, a GATA-like transcription factor that regulates transcription and sexual development in response to starvation, as a downstream target for TORC1 signaling. Under nitrogen-rich conditions, TORC1 positively regulates the phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of Gaf1 via the PP2A-like phosphatase Ppe1. Under nitrogen stress conditions when TORC1 is inactivated, Gaf1 becomes dephosphorylated and enters the nucleus. Budding yeast TORC1 regulates GATA transcription factors via the phosphatase Sit4, a structural homologue of Ppe1. Thus, the TORC1-GATA transcription module appears to be conserved in evolution and may also be found in higher eukaryotes.
Collapse
|
18
|
Cohen A, Kupiec M, Weisman R. Glucose activates TORC2-Gad8 protein via positive regulation of the cAMP/cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and negative regulation of the Pmk1 protein-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:21727-37. [PMID: 24928510 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.573824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase belongs to the highly conserved eukaryotic family of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases. TOR proteins are found at the core of two evolutionary conserved complexes, known as TORC1 and TORC2. In fission yeast, TORC2 is dispensable for proliferation under optimal growth conditions but is required for starvation and stress responses. TORC2 has been implicated in a wide variety of functions; however, the signals that regulate TORC2 activity have so far remained obscure. TORC2 has one known direct substrate, the AGC kinase Gad8, which is related to AKT in human cells. Gad8 is phosphorylated by TORC2 at Ser-546 (equivalent to AKT Ser-473), leading to its activation. Here, we show that glucose is necessary and sufficient to induce Gad8 Ser-546 phosphorylation in vivo and Gad8 kinase activity in vitro. The glucose signal that activates TORC2-Gad8 is mediated via the cAMP/PKA pathway, a major glucose-sensing pathway. By contrast, Pmk1, similar to human extracellular signal-regulated kinases and a major stress-induced mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in fission yeast, inhibits TORC2-dependent Gad8 phosphorylation and activation. Inhibition of TORC2-Gad8 also occurs in response to ionic or osmotic stress, in a manner dependent on the cAMP/PKA and Pmk1-MAPK signaling pathways. Our findings highlight the significance of glucose availability in regulation of TORC2-Gad8 and indicate a novel link between the cAMP/PKA, Pmk1/MAPK, and TORC2-Gad8 signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adiel Cohen
- From the Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Open University of Israel, University Road 1, 4353701 Ranana and
| | - Martin Kupiec
- the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Weisman
- From the Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Open University of Israel, University Road 1, 4353701 Ranana and
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ding L, Laor D, Weisman R, Forsburg SL. Rapid regulation of nuclear proteins by rapamycin-induced translocation in fission yeast. Yeast 2014; 31:253-64. [PMID: 24733494 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic analysis of protein function requires a rapid means of inactivating the gene under study. Typically, this exploits temperature-sensitive mutations or promoter shut-off techniques. We report the adaptation to Schizosaccharomyces pombe of the anchor-away technique, originally designed in budding yeast by Laemmli lab. This method relies on a rapamycin-mediated interaction between the FRB- and FKBP12-binding domains to relocalize nuclear proteins of interest to the cytoplasm. We demonstrate a rapid nuclear depletion of abundant proteins as proof of principle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ding
- Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|