Tracking Expansions of Stable and Threshold Length Trinucleotide Repeat Tracts In Vivo and In Vitro Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2019 ◽  
pp. 25-68
Author(s):  
Gregory M. Williams ◽  
Athena K. Petrides ◽  
Lata Balakrishnan ◽  
Jennifer A. Surtees
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Trinucleotide Repeat ◽  
Threshold Length

scholarly journals Saccharomyces cerevisiae Flap Endonuclease 1 Uses Flap Equilibration To Maintain Triplet Repeat Stability

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 4049-4064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Haihua Zhang ◽  
Janaki Veeraraghavan ◽  
Robert A. Bambara ◽  
Catherine H. Freudenreich
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Yeast Artificial Chromosome ◽  
Trinucleotide Repeat ◽  
Artificial Chromosome ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Flap Endonuclease 1 ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Chromosome Fragility

ABSTRACT Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) is a central component of Okazaki fragment maturation in eukaryotes. Genetic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae FEN1 (RAD27) also reveals its important role in preventing trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion. In humans such expansion is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro, FEN1 can inhibit TNR expansion by employing its endonuclease activity to compete with DNA ligase I. Here we employed two yeast FEN1 nuclease mutants, rad27-G67S and rad27-G240D, to further define the mechanism by which FEN1 prevents TNR expansion. Using a yeast artificial chromosome system that can detect both TNR instability and fragility, we demonstrate that the G240D but not the G67S mutation increases both the expansion and fragility of a CTG tract in vivo. In vitro, the G240D nuclease is proficient in cleaving a fixed nonrepeat double flap; however, it exhibits severely impaired cleavage of both nonrepeat and CTG-containing equilibrating flaps. In contrast, wild-type FEN1 and the G67S mutant exhibit more efficient cleavage on an equilibrating flap than on a fixed CTG flap. The degree of TNR expansion and the amount of chromosome fragility observed in the mutant strains correlate with the severity of defective flap cleavage in vitro. We present a model to explain how flap equilibration and the unique tracking mechanism of FEN1 can collaborate to remove TNR flaps and prevent repeat expansion.

scholarly journals Expression and Characterization of the Flocculin Flo11/Muc1, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mannoprotein with Homotypic Properties of Adhesion

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 2214-2221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois M. Douglas ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
A. M. Dranginis
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
In Vitro System ◽  
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor ◽  
Fungal Adhesion ◽  
Very High ◽  
Molecular Weight Form

ABSTRACT The Flo11/Muc1 flocculin has diverse phenotypic effects. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells of strain background Σ1278b require Flo11p to form pseudohyphae, invade agar, adhere to plastic, and develop biofilms, but they do not flocculate. We show that S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus strains, on the other hand, exhibit Flo11-dependent flocculation and biofilm formation but do not invade agar or form pseudohyphae. In order to study the nature of the Flo11p proteins produced by these two types of strains, we examined secreted Flo11p, encoded by a plasmid-borne gene, in which the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor sequences had been replaced by a histidine tag. A protein of approximately 196 kDa was secreted from both strains, which upon purification and concentration, aggregated into a form with a very high molecular mass. When secreted Flo11p was covalently attached to microscopic beads, it conferred the ability to specifically bind to S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus cells, which flocculate, but not to Σ1278b cells, which do not flocculate. This was true for the 196-kDa form as well as the high-molecular-weight form of Flo11p, regardless of the strain source. The coated beads bound to S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus cells expressing FLO11 and failed to bind to cells with a deletion of FLO11, demonstrating a homotypic adhesive mechanism. Flo11p was shown to be a mannoprotein. Bead-to-cell adhesion was inhibited by mannose, which also inhibits Flo11-dependent flocculation in vivo, further suggesting that this in vitro system is a useful model for the study of fungal adhesion.

scholarly journals Transcription of alpha-specific genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: DNA sequence requirements for activity of the coregulator alpha 1.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6866-6875 ◽  
Author(s):  
D C Hagen ◽  
L Bruhn ◽  
C A Westby ◽  
G F Sprague
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Transcription Activation ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Weak Binding

Transcription activation of alpha-specific genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by two proteins, MCM1 and alpha 1, which bind to DNA sequences, called P'Q elements, found upstream of alpha-specific genes. Neither MCM1 nor alpha 1 alone binds efficiently to P'Q elements. Together, however, they bind cooperatively in a manner that requires both the P' sequence, which is a weak binding site for MCM1, and the Q sequence, which has been postulated to be the binding site for alpha 1. We analyzed a collection of point mutations in the P'Q element of the STE3 gene to determine the importance of individual base pairs for alpha-specific gene transcription. Within the 10-bp conserved Q sequence, mutations at only three positions strongly affected transcription activation in vivo. These same mutations did not affect the weak binding to P'Q displayed by MCM1 alone. In vitro DNA binding assays showed a direct correlation between the ability of the mutant sequences to form ternary P'Q-MCM1-alpha 1 complexes and the degree to which transcription was activated in vivo. Thus, the ability of alpha 1 and MCM1 to bind cooperatively to P'Q elements is critical for activation of alpha-specific genes. In all natural alpha-specific genes the Q sequence is adjacent to the degenerate side of P'. To test the significance of this geometry, we created several novel juxtapositions of P, P', and Q sequences. When the Q sequence was opposite the degenerate side, the composite QP' element was inactive as a promoter element in vivo and unable to form stable ternary QP'-MCM1-alpha 1 complexes in vitro. We also found that addition of a Q sequence to a strong MCM1 binding site allows the addition of alpha 1 to the complex. This finding, together with the observation that Q-element point mutations affected ternary complex formation but not the weak binding of MCM1 alone, supports the idea that the Q sequence serves as a binding site for alpha 1.

scholarly journals The Highly Conserved tRNAHis Guanylyltransferase Thg1p Interacts with the Origin Recognition Complex and Is Required for the G2/M Phase Transition in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 832-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terri S. Rice ◽  
Min Ding ◽  
David S. Pederson ◽  
Nicholas H. Heintz
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Origin Recognition Complex ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Permissive Temperature ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
M Phase ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Origin Recognition

ABSTRACT Here we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae tRNAHis guanylyltransferase Thg1p interacts with the origin recognition complex in vivo and in vitro and that overexpression of hemagglutinin-Thg1p selectively impedes growth of orc2-1(Ts) cells at the permissive temperature. Studies with conditional mutants indicate that Thg1p couples nuclear division and migration to cell budding and cytokinesis in yeast.

scholarly journals Effect of intron mutations on processing and function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUP53 tRNA in vitro and in vivo.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2663-2673 ◽  
Author(s):  
M C Strobel ◽  
J Abelson
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Nuclear Extract ◽  
Nonsense Suppression ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Suppressor Activity ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Made In

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae leucine-inserting amber suppressor tRNA gene SUP53 (a tRNALeu3 allele) was used to investigate the relationship between precursor tRNA structure and mature tRNA function. This gene encodes a pre-tRNA which contains a 32-base intron. The mature tRNASUP53 contains a 5-methylcytosine modification of the anticodon wobble base. Mutations were made in the SUP53 intron. These mutant genes were transcribed in an S. cerevisiae nuclear extract preparation. In this extract, primary tRNA gene transcripts are end-processed and base modified after addition of cofactors. The base modifications made in vitro were examined, and the mutant pre-tRNAs were analyzed for their ability to serve as substrates for partially purified S. cerevisiae tRNA endonuclease and ligase. Finally, the suppressor function of these mutant tRNA genes was assayed after their integration into the S. cerevisiae genome. Mutant analysis showed that the totally intact precursor tRNA, rather than any specific sequence or structure of the intron, was necessary for efficient nonsense suppression by tRNASUP53. Less efficient suppressor activity correlated with the absence of the 5-methylcytosine modification. Most of the intron-altered precursor tRNAs were successfully spliced in vitro, indicating that modifications are not critical for recognition by the tRNA endonuclease and ligase.

scholarly journals Binding and Partial Denaturing of G-quartet DNA by Cdc13p ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae

2001 ◽  
Vol 276 (50) ◽  
pp. 47671-47674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chien Lin ◽  
Jing-Wen Shih ◽  
Chia-Ling Hsu ◽  
Jing-Jer Lin
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Intermolecular Association ◽  
Telomere Association ◽  
Dna Quadruplex ◽  
Telomere Replication ◽  
Dna Quadruplexes

The protein Cdc13p binds telomeresin vivoand is essential for the maintenance of the telomeres ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, Cdc13p is known to bind single-stranded TG1–3DNAin vitro. Here we have shown that Cdc13p also binds DNA quadruplex, G-quartet, formed by TG1–3DNA. Moreover, the binding of Cdc13p causes a partial denaturing of the G-quartet DNA. Formation of DNA quadruplexes may involve the intermolecular association of TG1–3DNA and inhibit the extension of telomeres by telomerase. Thus, our finding suggests that Cdc13p may disrupt telomere association and facilitate telomere replication.

scholarly journals Investigation of in Vivo Roles of the C-terminal Tails of the Small Subunit (ββ′) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ribonucleotide Reductase

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (20) ◽  
pp. 13951-13959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Xiuxiang An ◽  
JoAnne Stubbe ◽  
Mingxia Huang
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Ribonucleotide Reductase ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Cluster Assembly ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Viability Assay ◽  
Docking Model

The small subunit (β2) of class Ia ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) houses a diferric tyrosyl cofactor (Fe2III-Y•) that initiates nucleotide reduction in the large subunit (α2) via a long range radical transfer (RT) pathway in the holo-(α2)m(β2)n complex. The C-terminal tails of β2 are predominantly responsible for interaction with α2, with a conserved tyrosine residue in the tail (Tyr356 in Escherichia coli NrdB) proposed to participate in cofactor assembly/maintenance and in RT. In the absence of structure of any holo-RNR, the role of the β tail in cluster assembly/maintenance and its predisposition within the holo-complex have remained unknown. In this study, we have taken advantage of the unusual heterodimeric nature of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNR small subunit (ββ′), of which only β contains a cofactor, to address both of these issues. We demonstrate that neither β-Tyr376 nor β′-Tyr323 (Tyr356 equivalent in NrdB) is required for cofactor assembly in vivo, in contrast to the previously proposed mechanism for E. coli cofactor maintenance and assembly in vitro. Furthermore, studies with reconstituted-ββ′ and an in vivo viability assay show that β-Tyr376 is essential for RT, whereas Tyr323 in β′ is not. Although the C-terminal tail of β′ is dispensable for cofactor formation and RT, it is essential for interactions with β and α to form the active holo-RNR. Together the results provide the first evidence of a directed orientation of the β and β′ C-terminal tails relative to α within the holoenzyme consistent with a docking model of the two subunits and argue against RT across the β β′ interface.

scholarly journals Prenylation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Chs4p Affects Chitin Synthase III Activity and Chitin Chain Length

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kariona A. Grabińska ◽  
Paula Magnelli ◽  
Phillips W. Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Chain Length ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Average Chain Length ◽  
Calcofluor White ◽  
Protein Factor

ABSTRACT Chs4p (Cal2/Csd4/Skt5) was identified as a protein factor physically interacting with Chs3p, the catalytic subunit of chitin synthase III (CSIII), and is indispensable for its enzymatic activity in vivo. Chs4p contains a putative farnesyl attachment site at the C-terminal end (CVIM motif) conserved in Chs4p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other fungi. Several previous reports questioned the role of Chs4p prenylation in chitin biosynthesis. In this study we reinvestigated the function of Chs4p prenylation. We provide evidence that Chs4p is farnesylated by showing that purified Chs4p is recognized by anti-farnesyl antibody and is a substrate for farnesyl transferase (FTase) in vitro and that inactivation of FTase increases the amount of unmodified Chs4p in yeast cells. We demonstrate that abolition of Chs4p prenylation causes a ∼60% decrease in CSIII activity, which is correlated with a ∼30% decrease in chitin content and with increased resistance to the chitin binding compound calcofluor white. Furthermore, we show that lack of Chs4p prenylation decreases the average chain length of the chitin polymer. Prenylation of Chs4p, however, is not a factor that mediates plasma membrane association of the protein. Our results provide evidence that the prenyl moiety attached to Chs4p is a factor modulating the activity of CSIII both in vivo and in vitro.

Analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae his3 transcription in vitro: biochemical support for multiple mechanisms of transcription

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2832-2839
Author(s):  
A S Ponticelli ◽  
K Struhl
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Activator Proteins ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Transcription In Vitro

The promoter region of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae his3 gene contains two TATA elements, TC and TR, that direct transcription initiation to two sites designated +1 and +13. On the basis of differences between their nucleotide sequences and their responsiveness to upstream promoter elements, it has previously been proposed that TC and TR promote transcription by different molecular mechanisms. To begin a study of his3 transcription in vitro, we used S. cerevisiae nuclear extracts together with various DNA templates and transcriptional activator proteins that have been characterized in vivo. We demonstrated accurate transcription initiation in vitro at the sites used in vivo, transcriptional activation by GCN4, and activation by a GAL4 derivative on various gal-his3 hybrid promoters. In all cases, transcription stimulation was dependent on the presence of an acidic activation region in the activator protein. In addition, analysis of promoters containing a variety of TR derivatives indicated that the level of transcription in vitro was directly related to the level achieved in vivo. The results demonstrated that the in vitro system accurately reproduced all known aspects of in vivo his3 transcription that depend on the TR element. However, in striking contrast to his3 transcription in vivo, transcription in vitro yielded approximately 20 times more of the +13 transcript than the +1 transcript. This result was not due to inability of the +1 initiation site to be efficiently utilized in vitro, but rather it reflects the lack of TC function in vitro. The results support the idea that TC and TR mediate transcription from the wild-type promoter by distinct mechanisms.

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