Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Polar Effects in Bacterial Gene Deletion Libraries

Single-gene deletion libraries have allowed genome-wide characterization of gene function and interactions. While each mutant intends to disrupt the function of a single gene, it can unintentionally target other genes, such as those located in the same operon as the deletion.

Genetic interaction networks mediate individual statin drug response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eukaryotic genetic interaction networks (GINs) are extensively described in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288C model using deletion libraries, yet being limited to this one genetic background, not informative to individual drug response. Here we created deletion libraries in three additional genetic backgrounds. Statin response was probed with five queries against four genetic backgrounds. The 20 resultant GINs representing drug–gene and gene–gene interactions were not conserved by functional enrichment, hierarchical clustering, and topology-based community partitioning. An unfolded protein response (UPR) community exhibited genetic background variation including different betweenness genes that were network bottlenecks, and we experimentally validated this UPR community via measurements of the UPR that were differentially activated and regulated in statin-resistant strains relative to the statin-sensitive S288C background. These network analyses by topology and function provide insight into the complexity of drug response influenced by genetic background.

Master regulators of genetic interaction networks mediating statin drug response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae vary with genetic background

ABSTRACTDetermination of genetic interaction networks (GINs) surrounding drug targets identifies buffering genes and provides molecular insight into drug response in individuals. Here we used backcross methodology to create Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion libraries in three genetic backgrounds resistant to statins, which are additional to the statin-sensitive S288C deletion library that has provided much of what is known about GINs in eukaryotes. Whole genome sequencing and linkage group analysis confirmed the genomic authenticity of the new deletion libraries. Statin response was probed by drug-gene interactions with atorvastatin and cerivastatin treatments, as well as gene-gene interactions with the statin target HMG1 and HMG2 genes or the sterol homeostatic ARV1 gene. The 20 GINs generated from these interactions were not conserved by function or topology across the four genetic backgrounds. Centrality measures and hierarchical agglomerative clustering identified master regulators that if removed collapsed the networks. Community structure distinguished a characteristic early secretory pathway pattern of gene usage in each genetic background. ER stress in statin-resistant backgrounds was buffered by protein folding genes, which was confirmed by reduced activation of the unfolded protein response in statin-resistant backgrounds relative to the statin-sensitive S288C background. These network analyses of new gene deletion libraries provide insight into the complexity of GINs underlying individual drug response.