Interspecies variation reveals a conserved repressor of alpha-specific genes in Saccharomyces yeasts.
Genes Dev
; 22(12): 1704-16, 2008 Jun 15.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18559484
ABSTRACT
The mating-type determination circuit in Saccharomyces yeast serves as a classic paradigm for the genetic control of cell type in all eukaryotes. Using comparative genetics, we discovered a central and conserved, yet previously undetected, component of this genetic circuit active repression of alpha-specific genes in a cells. Upon inactivation of the SUM1 gene in Saccharomyces bayanus, a close relative of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a cells acquired mating characteristics of alpha cells and displayed autocrine activation of their mating response pathway. Sum1 protein bound to the promoters of alpha-specific genes, repressing their transcription. In contrast to the standard model, alpha1 was important but not required for alpha-specific gene activation and mating of alpha cells in the absence of Sum1. Neither Sum1 protein expression, nor its association with target promoters was mating-type-regulated. Thus, the alpha1/Mcm1 coactivators did not overcome repression by occluding Sum1 binding to DNA. Surprisingly, the mating-type regulatory function of Sum1 was conserved in S. cerevisiae. We suggest that a comprehensive understanding of some genetic pathways may be best attained through the expanded phenotypic space provided by study of those pathways in multiple related organisms.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Proteínas Represoras
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Regulación Fúngica de la Expresión Génica
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Especiación Genética
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Genes del Tipo Sexual de los Hongos
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Genes Dev
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Año:
2008
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos