Transposon insertional mutagenesis of diverse yeast strains suggests coordinated gene essentiality polymorphisms

Due to epistasis, the same mutation can have drastically different phenotypic consequences in different individuals. This phenomenon is pertinent to precision medicine as well as antimicrobial drug development, but its general characteristics are largely unknown. We approach this question by genome-wide assessment of gene essentiality polymorphism in 16 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains using transposon insertional mutagenesis. Essentiality polymorphism is observed for 9.8% of genes, most of which have had repeated essentiality switches in evolution. Genes exhibiting essentiality polymorphism lean toward having intermediate numbers of genetic and protein interactions. Gene essentiality changes tend to occur concordantly among components of the same protein complex or metabolic pathway and among a group of over 100 mitochondrial proteins, revealing molecular machines or functional modules as units of gene essentiality variation. Most essential genes tolerate transposon insertions consistently among strains in one or more coding segments, delineating nonessential regions within essential genes.

Rewiring phospholipid biosynthesis reveals resilience to membrane perturbations and uncovers regulators of lipid homeostasis

The organelles of eukaryotic cells differ in their membrane lipid composition. This heterogeneity is achieved by the localization of lipid synthesizing and modifying enzymes to specific compartments, as well as by intracellular lipid transport that utilizes vesicular and non‐vesicular routes to ferry lipids from their place of synthesis to their destination. For instance, the major and essential phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), can be produced by multiple pathways and, in the case of PE, also at multiple locations. However, the molecular components that underlie lipid homeostasis as well as the routes allowing their distribution remain unclear. Here, we present an approach in which we simplify and rewire yeast phospholipid synthesis by redirecting PE and PC synthesis reactions to distinct subcellular locations using chimeric enzymes fused to specific organelle targeting motifs. In rewired conditions, viability is expected to depend on homeostatic adaptation to the ensuing lipostatic perturbations and on efficient interorganelle lipid transport. We therefore performed genetic screens to identify factors involved in both of these processes. Among the candidates identified, we find genes linked to transcriptional regulation of lipid homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and transport. In particular, we identify a requirement for Csf1—an uncharacterized protein harboring a Chorein‐N lipid transport motif—for survival under certain rewired conditions as well as lipidomic adaptation to cold, implicating Csf1 in interorganelle lipid transport and homeostatic adaptation.

SAturated Transposon Analysis in Yeast (SATAY) for Deep Functional Mapping of Yeast Genomes

Genome-wide transposon mutagenesis followed by deep sequencing allows the genome-wide mapping of growth-affecting loci in a straightforward and time-efficient way.SAturated Transposon Analysis in Yeast (SATAY) takes advantage of a modified maize transposon that is highly mobilizable in S. cerevisiae. SATAY allows not only the genome-wide mapping of genes required for growth in select conditions (such as genetic interactions or drug sensitivity/resistance), but also of protein sub-domains, as well as the creation of gain- and separation-of-function alleles. From strain preparation to the mapping of sequencing reads, we detail all the steps for the making and analysis of SATAY libraries in any S. cerevisiae lab, requiring only ordinary equipment and access to a Next-Gen sequencing platform.

ESCRT-III and ER-PM contacts maintain lipid homeostasis

Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized into organelles by intracellular membranes. While the organelles are distinct, many of them make intimate contact with one another. These contacts were first observed in the 1950s, but only recently have the functions of these contact sites begun to be understood. In yeast, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) makes extensive intermembrane contacts with the plasma membrane (PM), covering ∼40% of the PM. Many functions of ER–PM contacts have been proposed, including nonvesicular lipid trafficking, ion transfer, and as signaling hubs. Surprisingly, cells that lack ER–PM contacts grow well, indicating that alternative pathways may be compensating for the loss of ER–PM contact. To better understand the function of ER–PM contact sites we used saturating transposon mutagenesis to identify synthetic lethal mutants in a yeast strain lacking ER–PM contact sites. The strongest hits were components of the ESCRT complexes. The synthetic lethal mutants have low levels of some lipid species but accumulate free fatty acids and lipid droplets. We found that only ESCRT-III components are synthetic lethal, indicating that Vps4 and other ESCRT complexes do not function in this pathway. These data suggest that ESCRT-III proteins and ER–PM contact sites act in independent pathways to maintain lipid homeostasis.

Cytotoxicity of 1-deoxysphingolipid unraveled by genome-wide genetic screens and lipidomics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN) types IA and IC (IA/C) are caused by elevated levels of an atypical class of lipid named 1-deoxysphingolipid (DoxSL). How elevated levels of DoxSL perturb the physiology of the cell and how the perturbations lead to HSAN IA/C are largely unknown. In this study, we show that C₂₆-1-deoxydihydroceramide (C₂₆-DoxDHCer) is highly toxic to the cell, while C₁₆- and C₁₈-DoxDHCer are less toxic. Genome-wide genetic screens and lipidomics revealed the dynamics of DoxSL accumulation and DoxSL species responsible for the toxicity over the course of DoxSL accumulation. Moreover, we show that disruption of F-actin organization, alteration of mitochondrial shape, and accumulation of hydrophobic bodies by DoxSL are not sufficient to cause complete cellular failure. We found that cell death coincides with collapsed ER membrane, although we cannot rule out other possible causes of cell death. Thus, we have unraveled key principles of DoxSL cytotoxicity that may help to explain the clinical features of HSAN IA/C.

Structure-function insights into direct lipid transfer between membranes by Mmm1-Mdm12 of ERMES

The ER–mitochondrial encounter structure (ERMES) physically links ER and mitochondrial membranes in yeast, but it is unclear whether ERMES directly facilitates lipid exchange between these organelles. Kawano et al. reveal by reconstitution experiments that a complex of Mmm1–Mdm12, two core subunits of ERMES, functions as a minimal unit for lipid transfer between membranes.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–mitochondrial encounter structure (ERMES) physically links the membranes of the ER and mitochondria in yeast. Although the ER and mitochondria cooperate to synthesize glycerophospholipids, whether ERMES directly facilitates the lipid exchange between the two organelles remains controversial. Here, we compared the x-ray structures of an ERMES subunit Mdm12 from Kluyveromyces lactis with that of Mdm12 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and found that both Mdm12 proteins possess a hydrophobic pocket for phospholipid binding. However in vitro lipid transfer assays showed that Mdm12 alone or an Mmm1 (another ERMES subunit) fusion protein exhibited only a weak lipid transfer activity between liposomes. In contrast, Mdm12 in a complex with Mmm1 mediated efficient lipid transfer between liposomes. Mutations in Mmm1 or Mdm12 impaired the lipid transfer activities of the Mdm12–Mmm1 complex and furthermore caused defective phosphatidylserine transport from the ER to mitochondrial membranes via ERMES in vitro. Therefore, the Mmm1–Mdm12 complex functions as a minimal unit that mediates lipid transfer between membranes.

Functional mapping of yeast genomes by saturated transposition

Yeast is a powerful model for systems genetics. We present a versatile, time- and labor-efficient method to functionally explore the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome using saturated transposon mutagenesis coupled to high-throughput sequencing. SAturated Transposon Analysis in Yeast (SATAY) allows one-step mapping of all genetic loci in which transposons can insert without disrupting essential functions. SATAY is particularly suited to discover loci important for growth under various conditions. SATAY (1) reveals positive and negative genetic interactions in single and multiple mutant strains, (2) can identify drug targets, (3) detects not only essential genes, but also essential protein domains, (4) generates both null and other informative alleles. In a SATAY screen for rapamycin-resistant mutants, we identify Pib2 (PhosphoInositide-Binding 2) as a master regulator of TORC1. We describe two antagonistic TORC1-activating and -inhibiting activities located on opposite ends of Pib2. Thus, SATAY allows to easily explore the yeast genome at unprecedented resolution and throughput.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23570.001

Genes are stretches of DNA that carry the instructions to build and maintain cells. Many studies in genetics involve inactivating one or more genes and observing the consequences. If the loss of a gene kills the cell, that gene is likely to be vital for life. If it does not, the gene may not be essential, or a similar gene may be able to take over its role.

Baker’s yeast is a simple organism that shares many characteristics with human cells. Many yeast genes have a counterpart among human genes, and so studying baker’s yeast can reveal clues about our own genetics. Michel et al. report an adaptation for baker’s yeast of a technique called “Transposon sequencing”, which had been used in other single-celled organisms to study the effects of interrupting genes. Briefly, a virus-like piece of DNA, called a transposon, inserts randomly into the genetic material and switches off individual genes. The DNA is then sequenced to reveal every gene that can be disrupted without killing the cell, and remaining genes are inferred to be essential for life.

The approach, named SATAY (which is short for “saturated transposon analysis in yeast”), uses this strategy to create millions of baker’s yeast cells, each with a different gene switched off. Because the number of cells generated this way vastly exceeds the number of genes, every gene will be switched off by several independent transposons. Therefore the technique allows all yeast genes to be inactivated several times in one single experiment. The cells can be grown in varying conditions during the experiment, revealing the genes needed for survival in different situations. Non-essential genes can also be inactivated beforehand to uncover if any genes might be compensating for their absence.

In the future, this technique may be used to better understand human diseases, such as cancer, since many disease-causing genes in humans have counterparts in yeast.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23570.002

Organization and function of membrane contact sites

Membrane-bound organelles are a wonderful evolutionary acquisition of the eukaryotic cell, allowing the segregation of sometimes incompatible biochemical reactions into specific compartments with tailored microenvironments. On the flip side, these isolating membranes that crowd the interior of the cell, constitute a hindrance to the diffusion of metabolites and information to all corners of the cell. To ensure coordination of cellular activities, cells use a network of contact sites between the membranes of different organelles. These membrane contact sites (MCSs) are domains where two membranes come to close proximity, typically less than 30nm. Such contacts create microdomains that favor exchange between two organelles. MCSs are established and maintained in durable or transient states by tethering structures, which keep the two membranes in proximity, but fusion between the membranes does not take place. Since the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the most extensive cellular membrane network, it is thus not surprising to find the ER involved in most MCSs within the cell. The ER contacts diverse compartments such as mitochondria, lysosomes, lipid droplets, the Golgi apparatus, endosomes and the plasma membrane. In this review, we will focus on the common organizing principles underlying the many MCSs found between the ER and virtually all compartments of the cell, and on how the ER establishes a network of MCSs for the trafficking of vital metabolites and information. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Functional and structural diversity of endoplasmic reticulum.

A condensin-like dosage compensation complex acts at a distance to control expression throughout the genome

In many species, a dosage compensation complex (DCC) is targeted to X chromosomes of one sex to equalize levels of X-gene products between males (1X) and females (2X). Here we identify cis-acting regulatory elements that target the Caenorhabditis elegans X chromosome for repression by the DCC. The DCC binds to discrete, dispersed sites on X of two types. rex sites (recruitment elements on X) recruit the DCC in an autonomous, DNA sequence-dependent manner using a 12-base-pair (bp) consensus motif that is enriched on X. This motif is critical for DCC binding, is clustered in rex sites, and confers much of X-chromosome specificity. Motif variants enriched on X by 3.8-fold or more are highly predictive (95%) for rex sites. In contrast, dox sites (dependent on X) lack the X-enriched variants and cannot bind the DCC when detached from X. dox sites are more prevalent than rex sites and, unlike rex sites, reside preferentially in promoters of some expressed genes. These findings fulfill predictions for a targeting model in which the DCC binds to recruitment sites on X and disperses to discrete sites lacking autonomous recruitment ability. To relate DCC binding to function, we identified dosage-compensated and noncompensated genes on X. Unexpectedly, many genes of both types have bound DCC, but many do not, suggesting the DCC acts over long distances to repress X-gene expression. Remarkably, the DCC binds to autosomes, but at far fewer sites and rarely at consensus motifs. DCC disruption causes opposite effects on expression of X and autosomal genes. The DCC thus acts at a distance to impact expression throughout the genome.

Spontaneous rDNA copy number variation modulates Sir2 levels and epigenetic gene silencing

We show that in budding yeast large rDNA deletions arise frequently and cause an increase in telomeric and mating-type gene silencing proportional to repeat loss. Paradoxically, this increase in silencing is correlated with a highly specific down-regulation of SIR2, which encodes a deacetylase enzyme required for silencing. These apparently conflicting observations suggest that a large nucleolar pool of Sir2 is released upon rDNA loss and made available for telomeric and HM silencing, as well as down-regulation of SIR2 itself. Indeed, we present evidence for a reduction in the fraction of Sir2 colocalizing with the nucleolar marker Nop1, and for SIR2 autoregulation. Despite a decrease in the fraction of nucleolar Sir2, and in overall Sir2 protein levels, short rDNA strains display normal rDNA silencing and a lifespan indistinguishable from wild type. These observations reveal an unexpectedly large clonal variation in rDNA cluster size and point to the existence of a novel regulatory circuit, sensitive to rDNA copy number, that balances nucleolar and nonnucleolar pools of Sir2 protein.