scholarly journals Loss of Ubp3 increases silencing, decreases unequal recombination in rDNA, and shortens the replicative life span in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1916-1924 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Öling ◽  
Rehan Masoom ◽  
Kristian Kvint
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Replicative Life Span ◽  
Unequal Recombination

Ubp3 is a conserved ubiquitin protease that acts as an antisilencing factor in MAT and telomeric regions. Here we show that ubp3∆ mutants also display increased silencing in ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Consistent with this, RNA polymerase II occupancy is lower in cells lacking Ubp3 than in wild-type cells in all heterochromatic regions. Moreover, in a ubp3∆ mutant, unequal recombination in rDNA is highly suppressed. We present genetic evidence that this effect on rDNA recombination, but not silencing, is entirely dependent on the silencing factor Sir2. Further, ubp3∆ sir2∆ mutants age prematurely at the same rate as sir2∆ mutants. Thus our data suggest that recombination negatively influences replicative life span more so than silencing. However, in ubp3∆ mutants, recombination is not a prerequisite for aging, since cells lacking Ubp3 have a shorter life span than isogenic wild-type cells. We discuss the data in view of different models on how silencing and unequal recombination affect replicative life span and the role of Ubp3 in these processes.

scholarly journals hpr1Δ Affects Ribosomal DNA Recombination and Cell Life Span in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Merker ◽  
Hannah L. Klein
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Genomic Instability ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Dna Recombination ◽  
Genetic Pathways ◽  
Rdna Array ◽  
Cell Life

ABSTRACT Multiple genetic pathways have been shown to regulate life span and aging in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we show that loss of a component of the RNA polymerase II complex, Hpr1p, results in a decreased life span. Although hpr1Δ mutants have an increased rate of recombination within the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) array, this is not accompanied by an increase in extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs). Analyses of mutants that affect replication of the rDNA array and suppressors that reverse the phenotypes of the hpr1Δ mutant show that the reduced life span is associated with increased genomic instability but not with increased ERC formation. The hpr1Δ mutant acts in a pathway distinct from previously described mutants that reduce life span.

scholarly journals The Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodeling Complex Is Required for Ribosomal DNA and Telomeric Silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (18) ◽  
pp. 8227-8235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vardit Dror ◽  
Fred Winston
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Chromatin Remodeling ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Rdna Locus ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Chromatin Remodeling Complex ◽  
Two Factors

ABSTRACT The Swi/Snf chromatin remodeling complex has been previously demonstrated to be required for transcriptional activation and repression of a subset of genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work we demonstrate that Swi/Snf is also required for repression of RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus (rDNA silencing). This repression appears to be independent of both Sir2 and Set1, two factors known to be required for rDNA silencing. In contrast to many other rDNA silencing mutants that have elevated levels of rDNA recombination, snf2Δ mutants have a significantly decreased level of rDNA recombination. Additional studies have demonstrated that Swi/Snf is also required for silencing of genes near telomeres while having no detectable effect on silencing of HML or HMR.

scholarly journals Rpb7 Can Interact with RNA Polymerase II and Support Transcription during Some Stresses Independently of Rpb4

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 2672-2680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayelet Sheffer ◽  
Mazal Varon ◽  
Mordechai Choder
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Cold Sensitivity ◽  
Starvation Period ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Growth Phenotype ◽  
Mild Temperature

ABSTRACT Rpb4 and Rpb7 are two yeast RNA polymerase II (Pol II) subunits whose mechanistic roles have recently started to be deciphered. Although previous data suggest that Rpb7 can stably interact with Pol II only as a heterodimer with Rpb4, RPB7 is essential for viability, whereas RPB4 is essential only during some stress conditions. To resolve this discrepancy and to gain a better understanding of the mode of action of Rpb4, we took advantage of the inability of cells lacking RPB4 (rpb4Δ, containing Pol IIΔ4) to grow above 30°C and screened for genes whose overexpression could suppress this defect. We thus discovered that overexpression of RPB7 could suppress the inability ofrpb4Δ cells to grow at 34°C (a relatively mild temperature stress) but not at higher temperatures. Overexpression ofRPB7 could also partially suppress the cold sensitivity ofrpb4Δ strains and fully suppress their inability to survive a long starvation period (stationary phase). Notably, however, overexpression of RPB4 could not override the requirement for RPB7. Consistent with the growth phenotype, overexpression of RPB7 could suppress the transcriptional defect characteristic of rpb4Δ cells during the mild, but not during a more severe, heat shock. We also demonstrated, through two reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation experiments, a stable interaction of the overproduced Rpb7 with Pol IIΔ4. Nevertheless, fewer Rpb7 molecules interacted with Pol IIΔ4 than with wild-type Pol II. Thus, a major role of Rpb4 is to augment the interaction of Rpb7 with Pol II. We suggest that Pol IIΔ4 contains a small amount of Rpb7 that is sufficient to support transcription only under nonstress conditions. When RPB7 is overexpressed, more Rpb7 assembles with Pol IIΔ4, enough to permit appropriate transcription also under some stress conditions.

scholarly journals A polymerase switch in the synthesis of rRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 2420-2428 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Conrad-Webb ◽  
R A Butow
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Dna Repeat ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Respiratory Deficient

Transcription of ribosomal DNA by RNA polymerase I is believed to be the sole source of the 25S, 18S, and 5.8S rRNAs in wild-type cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we present evidence for a switch from RNA polymerase I to RNA polymerase II in the synthesis of a substantial fraction of those rRNAs in respiratory-deficient (petite) cells. The templates for the RNA polymerase II transcripts are largely, if not exclusively, episomal copies of ribosomal DNA arising from homologous recombination events within the ribosomal DNA repeat on chromosome XII. Ribosomal DNA contains a cryptic RNA polymerase II promoter that is activated in petites; it overlaps the RNA polymerase I promoter and produces a transcript equivalent to the 35S precursor rRNA made by RNA polymerase I. Yeast cells that lack RNA polymerase I activity, because of a disruption of the RPA135 gene that encodes subunit II of the enzyme, can survive by using the RNA polymerase II promoter in ribosomal DNA to direct the synthesis of the 35S rRNA precursor. This polymerase switch could provide cells with a mechanism to synthesize rRNA independent of the controls of RNA polymerase I transcription.

scholarly journals RNA polymerase II mutants defective in transcription of a subset of genes.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1010-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Scafe ◽  
M Nonet ◽  
R A Young
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Amino Acid Residue ◽  
Permissive Temperature ◽  
Nonpermissive Temperature ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Specific Mrnas ◽  
Type Strains

Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II conditional mutants that selectively disrupt the synthesis of specific mRNAs were isolated. At the permissive temperature, several of the mutants were inositol auxotrophs as a result of inadequate induction of INO1 transcription. The transcriptional defects exhibited by one of these Ino- mutants (rpb2-2) were further investigated. The induction of GAL10 and HIS4 transcription in rpb2-2 strains was similar to that of wild-type strains, in contrast to the lack of induction of INO1 transcription. When shifted to the nonpermissive temperature, cells containing rpb2-2 continued to accumulate some mRNAs but not others. Together, these results indicate that transcription of specific genes can be disrupted by RNA polymerase II mutations. The rpb2-2 allele alters an amino acid residue that occurs in a highly conserved segment of the RPB2 protein and that is shared by homologous subunits in other species.

scholarly journals Transcription Factor UAF, Expansion and Contraction of Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) Repeats, and RNA Polymerase Switch in Transcription of Yeast rDNA

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 8559-8569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Oakes ◽  
Imran Siddiqi ◽  
Loan Vu ◽  
John Aris ◽  
Masayasu Nomura
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Single Mutation ◽  
Rdna Transcription ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Pol I

ABSTRACT Strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae defective in transcription factor UAF give rise to variants able to grow by transcribing endogenous ribosomal DNA (rDNA) by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). We have demonstrated that the switch to growth using the Pol II system consists of two steps: a mutational alteration in UAF and an expansion of chromosomal rDNA repeats. The first step, a single mutation in UAF, is sufficient to allow Pol II transcription of rDNA. In contrast to UAF mutations, mutations in Pol I or other Pol I transcription factors can not independently lead to Pol II transcription of rDNA, suggesting a specific role of UAF in preventing polymerase switch. The second step, expansion of chromosomal rDNA repeats to levels severalfold higher than the wild type, is required for efficient cell growth. Mutations in genes that affect recombination within the rDNA repeats, fob1 and sir2, decrease and increase, respectively, the frequency of switching to growth using Pol II, indicating that increased rDNA copy number is a cause rather than a consequence of the switch. Finally, we show that the switch to the Pol II system is accompanied by a striking alteration in the localization and morphology of the nucleolus. The altered state that uses Pol II for rDNA transcription is semistable and heritable through mitosis and meiosis. We discuss the significance of these observations in relation to the plasticity of rDNA tandem repeats and nucleolar structures as well as evolution of the Pol I machinery.

RNA polymerase II mutants defective in transcription of a subset of genes

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1010-1016
Author(s):  
C Scafe ◽  
M Nonet ◽  
R A Young
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Amino Acid Residue ◽  
Permissive Temperature ◽  
Nonpermissive Temperature ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Specific Mrnas ◽  
Type Strains

Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II conditional mutants that selectively disrupt the synthesis of specific mRNAs were isolated. At the permissive temperature, several of the mutants were inositol auxotrophs as a result of inadequate induction of INO1 transcription. The transcriptional defects exhibited by one of these Ino- mutants (rpb2-2) were further investigated. The induction of GAL10 and HIS4 transcription in rpb2-2 strains was similar to that of wild-type strains, in contrast to the lack of induction of INO1 transcription. When shifted to the nonpermissive temperature, cells containing rpb2-2 continued to accumulate some mRNAs but not others. Together, these results indicate that transcription of specific genes can be disrupted by RNA polymerase II mutations. The rpb2-2 allele alters an amino acid residue that occurs in a highly conserved segment of the RPB2 protein and that is shared by homologous subunits in other species.

scholarly journals Underproduction of the Largest Subunit of RNA Polymerase II Causes Temperature Sensitivity, Slow Growth, and Inositol Auxotrophy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 737-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Archambault ◽  
David B Jansma ◽  
James D Friesen
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Reporter Gene ◽  
Growth Medium ◽  
Temperature Sensitivity ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Genes Encoding

Abstract In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutations in genes encoding subunits of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) often give rise to a set of pleiotropic phenotypes that includes temperature sensitivity, slow growth and inositol auxotrophy. In this study, we show that these phenotypes can be brought about by a reduction in the intracellular concentration of RNAPII. Underproduction of RNAPII was achieved by expressing the gene (RPO21), encoding the largest subunit of the enzyme, from the LEU2 promoter or a weaker derivative of it, two promoters that can be repressed by the addition of leucine to the growth medium. We found that cells that underproduced RPO21 were unable to derepress fully the expression of a reporter gene under the control of the INO1 UAS. Our results indicate that temperature sensitivity, slow growth and inositol auxotrophy is a set of phenotypes that can be caused by lowering the steady-state amount of RNAPII; these results also lead to the prediction that some of the previously identified RNAPII mutations that confer this same set of phenotypes affect the assembly/stability of the enzyme. We propose a model to explain the hypersensitivity of INO1 transcription to mutations that affect components of the RNAPII transcriptional machinery.

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