scholarly journals K28, a unique double-stranded RNA killer virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 4807-4815 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Schmitt ◽  
D J Tipper

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae consist of 4.5-kilobase-pair (kb) L species and 1.7- to 2.1-kb M species, both found in cytoplasmic viruslike particles (VLPs). The L species encode their own capsid protein, and one (LA) has been shown to encode a putative capsid-polymerase fusion protein (cap-pol) that presumably provides VLPs with their transcriptase and replicase functions. The M1 and M2 dsRNAs encode the K1 and K2 toxins and specific immunity mechanisms. Maintenance of M1 and M2 is dependent on the presence of LA, which provides capsid and cap-pol for M dsRNA maintenance. Although a number of different S. cerevisiae killers have been described, only K1 and K2 have been studied in any detail. Their secreted polypeptide toxins disrupt cytoplasmic membrane functions in sensitive yeast cells. K28, named for the wine S. cerevisiae strain 28, appears to be unique; its toxin is unusually stable and disrupts DNA synthesis in sensitive cells. We have now demonstrated that 4.5-kb L28 and 2.1-kb M28 dsRNAs can be isolated from strain 28 in typical VLPs, that these VLPs are sufficient to confer K28 toxin and immunity phenotypes on transfected spheroplasts, and that the immunity of the transfectants is distinct from that of either M1 or M2. In vitro transcripts from the M28 VLPs show no cross-hybridization to denatured M1 or M2 dsRNAs, while L28 is an LA species competent for maintenance of M1. K28, encoded by M28, is thus the third unique killer system in S. cerevisiae to be clearly defined. It is now amenable to genetic analysis in standard laboratory strains.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 4807-4815
Author(s):  
M J Schmitt ◽  
D J Tipper

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae consist of 4.5-kilobase-pair (kb) L species and 1.7- to 2.1-kb M species, both found in cytoplasmic viruslike particles (VLPs). The L species encode their own capsid protein, and one (LA) has been shown to encode a putative capsid-polymerase fusion protein (cap-pol) that presumably provides VLPs with their transcriptase and replicase functions. The M1 and M2 dsRNAs encode the K1 and K2 toxins and specific immunity mechanisms. Maintenance of M1 and M2 is dependent on the presence of LA, which provides capsid and cap-pol for M dsRNA maintenance. Although a number of different S. cerevisiae killers have been described, only K1 and K2 have been studied in any detail. Their secreted polypeptide toxins disrupt cytoplasmic membrane functions in sensitive yeast cells. K28, named for the wine S. cerevisiae strain 28, appears to be unique; its toxin is unusually stable and disrupts DNA synthesis in sensitive cells. We have now demonstrated that 4.5-kb L28 and 2.1-kb M28 dsRNAs can be isolated from strain 28 in typical VLPs, that these VLPs are sufficient to confer K28 toxin and immunity phenotypes on transfected spheroplasts, and that the immunity of the transfectants is distinct from that of either M1 or M2. In vitro transcripts from the M28 VLPs show no cross-hybridization to denatured M1 or M2 dsRNAs, while L28 is an LA species competent for maintenance of M1. K28, encoded by M28, is thus the third unique killer system in S. cerevisiae to be clearly defined. It is now amenable to genetic analysis in standard laboratory strains.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552-1561
Author(s):  
R Esteban ◽  
R B Wickner

Killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae bear at least two different double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) encapsidated in 39-nm viruslike particles (VLPs) of which the major coat protein is coded by the larger RNA (L-A dsRNA). The smaller dsRNA (M1 or M2) encodes an extracellular protein toxin (K1 or K2 toxin). Based on their densities on CsCl gradients, L-A- and M1-containing particles can be separated. Using this method, we detected a new type of M1 dsRNA-containing VLP (M1-H VLP, for heavy) that has a higher density than those previously reported (M1-L VLP, for light). M1-H and M1-L VLPs are present together in the same strains and in all those we tested. M1-H, M1-L, and L-A VLPs all have the same types of proteins in the same approximate proportions, but whereas L-A VLPs and M1-L VLPs have one dsRNA molecule per particle, M1-H VLPs contain two M1 dsRNA molecules per particle. Their RNA polymerase produces mainly plus single strands that are all extruded in the case of M1-H particles but are partially retained inside the M1-L particles to be used later for dsRNA synthesis. We show that M1-H VLPs are formed in vitro from the M1-L VLPs. We also show that the peak of M1 dsRNA synthesis is in fractions lighter than M1-L VLPs, presumably those carrying only a single plus M1 strand. We suggest that VLPs carrying two M1 dsRNAs (each 1.8 kilobases) can exist because the particle is designed to carry one L-A dsRNA (4.5 kilobases).


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2736-2743
Author(s):  
H Xu ◽  
J D Boeke

The Ty1 elements in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are a family of retrotransposons which transpose via a process similar to that of retroviral replication. We report here that the Ty1 transposition process can be blocked posttranscriptionally by treatment of cells with mating pheromones. When haploid yeast cells are treated with appropriate mating pheromones, the transposition frequency of a marked Ty1 element driven by the GAL1 promoter is greatly diminished. Ty1 viruslike particles (VLPs), the putative intermediates for transposition, can be isolated from mating pheromone-treated cells. These VLPs accumulate to normal levels but are aberrant in that they produce very few reverse transcripts of Ty1 RNA both in vivo and in vitro and contain subnormal amounts of p90-TYB and related proteins. In addition, a TYA phosphoprotein product accumulates in treated cells, and some species of TYB proteins have decreased stability. We also show that decreased transposition in mating pheromone-treated cells is not a consequence of simply blocking cell division, since Ty1 transposes at a nearly normal rate in yeast cells arrested in G2 by the drug nocodazole.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2736-2743 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Xu ◽  
J D Boeke

The Ty1 elements in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are a family of retrotransposons which transpose via a process similar to that of retroviral replication. We report here that the Ty1 transposition process can be blocked posttranscriptionally by treatment of cells with mating pheromones. When haploid yeast cells are treated with appropriate mating pheromones, the transposition frequency of a marked Ty1 element driven by the GAL1 promoter is greatly diminished. Ty1 viruslike particles (VLPs), the putative intermediates for transposition, can be isolated from mating pheromone-treated cells. These VLPs accumulate to normal levels but are aberrant in that they produce very few reverse transcripts of Ty1 RNA both in vivo and in vitro and contain subnormal amounts of p90-TYB and related proteins. In addition, a TYA phosphoprotein product accumulates in treated cells, and some species of TYB proteins have decreased stability. We also show that decreased transposition in mating pheromone-treated cells is not a consequence of simply blocking cell division, since Ty1 transposes at a nearly normal rate in yeast cells arrested in G2 by the drug nocodazole.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Esteban ◽  
R B Wickner

Killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae bear at least two different double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) encapsidated in 39-nm viruslike particles (VLPs) of which the major coat protein is coded by the larger RNA (L-A dsRNA). The smaller dsRNA (M1 or M2) encodes an extracellular protein toxin (K1 or K2 toxin). Based on their densities on CsCl gradients, L-A- and M1-containing particles can be separated. Using this method, we detected a new type of M1 dsRNA-containing VLP (M1-H VLP, for heavy) that has a higher density than those previously reported (M1-L VLP, for light). M1-H and M1-L VLPs are present together in the same strains and in all those we tested. M1-H, M1-L, and L-A VLPs all have the same types of proteins in the same approximate proportions, but whereas L-A VLPs and M1-L VLPs have one dsRNA molecule per particle, M1-H VLPs contain two M1 dsRNA molecules per particle. Their RNA polymerase produces mainly plus single strands that are all extruded in the case of M1-H particles but are partially retained inside the M1-L particles to be used later for dsRNA synthesis. We show that M1-H VLPs are formed in vitro from the M1-L VLPs. We also show that the peak of M1 dsRNA synthesis is in fractions lighter than M1-L VLPs, presumably those carrying only a single plus M1 strand. We suggest that VLPs carrying two M1 dsRNAs (each 1.8 kilobases) can exist because the particle is designed to carry one L-A dsRNA (4.5 kilobases).


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 420-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Fujimura ◽  
R B Wickner

Previously, we found that log-phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain a new type of viruslike particles containing only plus- strand L-A single-stranded RNA (ssRNA). These particles synthesize minus-strand RNA in an in vitro RNA polymerase reaction to produce L-A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The major class of particles contains L-A dsRNA and synthesizes plus-strand L-A ssRNA by a conservative mechanism. In this paper, we show that mutations in mak10 or the pet18 locus, which result in temperature-dependent replication of L-A dsRNA in vivo, also result in instability of the L-A dsRNA-containing (major class) viruslike particles in vitro. The L-A dsRNA (minus-strand)-synthesizing particles isolated by CsCl density gradient centrifugation synthesize plus-strand L-A ssRNA after completion of dsRNA (minus-strand) synthesis and have the same major coat protein as that of the major-class particles. Furthermore, the density of the dsRNA-synthesizing particles from wild-type cells shifts to that of the major-class dsRNA-containing particles as a result of the in vitro RNA polymerase reaction. Thus, L-A dsRNA-synthesizing particles undergo functional and structural maturation in vitro.


1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109
Author(s):  
E M Hannig ◽  
D J Thiele ◽  
M J Leibowitz

The M double-stranded RNA component of type 1 killer strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains an internal 200-base pair adenine- and uracil-rich region. The plus strands of this viral genomic RNA contain an internal adenine-rich region which allows these strands to bind to polyuridylate-Sepharose as tightly as do polyadenylated RNAs with 3'-terminal polyadenylated tracts of 70 to 100 residues. Internal template coding of an adenine-rich tract in positive polarity in vivo and in vitro transcripts of M double-stranded RNA may serve as an alternate method of transcript polyadenylation. The 3'-terminal residue of the in vitro m transcript is a non-template-encoded purine residue. The 5' terminus of this transcript is involved in a stem-and-loop structure which includes an AUG initiation codon, along with potential 18S and 5.8S rRNA binding sites. Except for the 3'-terminal residue, transcription in in vitro shows complete fidelity.


1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
E M Hannig ◽  
D J Thiele ◽  
M J Leibowitz

The M double-stranded RNA component of type 1 killer strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains an internal 200-base pair adenine- and uracil-rich region. The plus strands of this viral genomic RNA contain an internal adenine-rich region which allows these strands to bind to polyuridylate-Sepharose as tightly as do polyadenylated RNAs with 3'-terminal polyadenylated tracts of 70 to 100 residues. Internal template coding of an adenine-rich tract in positive polarity in vivo and in vitro transcripts of M double-stranded RNA may serve as an alternate method of transcript polyadenylation. The 3'-terminal residue of the in vitro m transcript is a non-template-encoded purine residue. The 5' terminus of this transcript is involved in a stem-and-loop structure which includes an AUG initiation codon, along with potential 18S and 5.8S rRNA binding sites. Except for the 3'-terminal residue, transcription in in vitro shows complete fidelity.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 420-426
Author(s):  
T Fujimura ◽  
R B Wickner

Previously, we found that log-phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain a new type of viruslike particles containing only plus- strand L-A single-stranded RNA (ssRNA). These particles synthesize minus-strand RNA in an in vitro RNA polymerase reaction to produce L-A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The major class of particles contains L-A dsRNA and synthesizes plus-strand L-A ssRNA by a conservative mechanism. In this paper, we show that mutations in mak10 or the pet18 locus, which result in temperature-dependent replication of L-A dsRNA in vivo, also result in instability of the L-A dsRNA-containing (major class) viruslike particles in vitro. The L-A dsRNA (minus-strand)-synthesizing particles isolated by CsCl density gradient centrifugation synthesize plus-strand L-A ssRNA after completion of dsRNA (minus-strand) synthesis and have the same major coat protein as that of the major-class particles. Furthermore, the density of the dsRNA-synthesizing particles from wild-type cells shifts to that of the major-class dsRNA-containing particles as a result of the in vitro RNA polymerase reaction. Thus, L-A dsRNA-synthesizing particles undergo functional and structural maturation in vitro.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kariona A. Grabińska ◽  
Paula Magnelli ◽  
Phillips W. Robbins

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.


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