MSI1 suppresses hyperactive RAS via the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and independently of chromatin assembly factor-1.

RAS hyperactivation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae leads to multiple nutritional growth defects associated with overstimulation of the cAMP signaling pathway. Hyperactive RAS can be suppressed by overexpression of MSI1, a subunit of chromatin assembly factor-1 (yCAF-1). MSI1 overexpression suppresses phenotypes induced by increased cAMP content in multiple genetic backgrounds. However, MSI1 does not inhibit cAMP synthesis or total cellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity, nor does MSI1 stimulate expression of several cAMP-repressible genes critical for the acquisition of thermotolerance in the stationary phase. Our analysis indicates that yCAF-1 is dispensable for inhibition of hyperactive RAS by MSI1. We demonstrate that in the presence of the PKA regulatory subunit, BCY1, MSI1 inhibits phenotypes of a mutationally activated PKA catalytic subunit. These observations indicate that MSI1 affects PKA function in a BCY1-dependent manner via mechanisms other than direct overall inhibition of PKA catalytic activity. MSI1 appears to provide two distinct roles in chromatin modeling as a component of yCAF-1, and in the inhibition of RAS signaling by modulating PKA.

Improved strategy for large-scale DNA sequencing using DNaseI cleavage for generating random subclones.

Large-scale DNA sequencing projects require the use of specific and reliable strategies. Here, we describe an improved strategy using DNaseI cleavage and sequencing strategy using DNaseI cleavage and sequencing from both ends of the plasmid inserts. This strategy yields better results than those obtained using partial digestion with restriction enzymes and cloning in single-stranded vectors.

Complete DNA sequence of yeast chromosome II.

In the framework of the EU genome-sequencing programmes, the complete DNA sequence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome II (807 188 bp) has been determined. At present, this is the largest eukaryotic chromosome entirely sequenced. A total of 410 open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, covering 72% of the sequence. Similarity searches revealed that 124 ORFs (30%) correspond to genes of known function, 51 ORFs (12.5%) appear to be homologues of genes whose functions are known, 52 others (12.5%) have homologues the functions of which are not well defined and another 33 of the novel putative genes (8%) exhibit a degree of similarity which is insufficient to confidently assign function. Of the genes on chromosome II, 37-45% are thus of unpredicted function. Among the novel putative genes, we found several that are related to genes that perform differentiated functions in multicellular organisms of are involved in malignancy. In addition to a compact arrangement of potential protein coding sequences, the analysis of this chromosome confirmed general chromosome patterns but also revealed particular novel features of chromosomal organization. Alternating regional variations in average base composition correlate with variations in local gene density along chromosome II, as observed in chromosomes XI and III. We propose that functional ARS elements are preferably located in the AT-rich regions that have a spacing of approximately 110 kb. Similarly, the 13 tRNA genes and the three Ty elements of chromosome II are found in AT-rich regions. In chromosome II, the distribution of coding sequences between the two strands is biased, with a ratio of 1.3:1. An interesting aspect regarding the evolution of the eukaryotic genome is the finding that chromosome II has a high degree of internal genetic redundancy, amounting to 16% of the coding capacity.

A 12.5 kb fragment of the yeast chromosome II contains two adjacent genes encoding ribosomal proteins and six putative new genes, one of which encodes a putative transcriptional factor.

The nucleotide sequence of a 12.5 kb fragment localized to the right arm of chromosome II of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined. The sequence contains eight putative genes. Two of them are contiguous and represent two ribosomal protein genes: SUP46 and URP1. SUP46 is implicated in translation fidelity and encodes the ribosomal protein S13. URP1 is homologous to the rat ribosomal protein gene L21. The open reading frame (ORF) YBR1245 is similar in its N-terminal part to transcription factors like SRF and MCM1. The ORF YBR1308 shows homology with proteins of the AAA-family (ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities). Two genes are predicted to encode putative membrane proteins.

RIM2, MSI1 and PGI1 are located within an 8 kb segment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome II, which also contains the putative ribosomal gene L21 and a new putative essential gene with a leucine zipper motif.

We report the DNA sequence of an 8 kb segment localized on the right arm of chromosome II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sequence reveals the presence of eight open reading frames (ORFs). Three of them, YBR1402, YBR1405 and YBR1406 are previously sequenced genes, respectively the RIM2 (replication in mitochondria), MSI1 (multicopy suppressor of IRA1 gene) and PGI1 (phosphoglucoisomerase) genes. The predicted product of the ORF YBR1401 could be the putative yeast ribosomal protein L21. A new essential gene, YBR1403, has been identified by disruption; it possesses a leucine zipper motif.