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Rpc19 and Rpc40, two alpha-like subunits shared by nuclear RNA polymerases I and III, are interchangeable between the
G V Shpakovski1, E K Shematorova
1Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences; ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, GSP-7, 117871 Moscow, Russia. gvs@ibch.siobc.ras.ru
Current Genetics
|December 14, 1999
Summary
Genes for RNA polymerases I and III subunits from fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) successfully replaced their counterparts in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This demonstrates functional conservation of these essential nuclear RNA polymerase components.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Yeast Genetics
- Gene Expression
Background:
- Nuclear RNA polymerases I and III are essential for transcribing ribosomal RNA and transfer RNA, respectively.
- Understanding the conservation of their subunits across different yeast species can reveal fundamental biological mechanisms.
- Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are model organisms for studying eukaryotic gene function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the genes encoding common subunits Rpc19 and Rpc40 of nuclear RNA polymerases I and III in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
- To assess the functional conservation of these fission yeast genes by testing their ability to complement homologous genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of cDNAs and genes for Rpc19 and Rpc40 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
- Heterospecific complementation assays using null alleles and temperature-sensitive mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Determination of primary gene structures, including intron-exon organization and chromosomal localization.
Main Results:
- Both Schizosaccharomyces pombe rpc19(+) and rpc40(+) genes functionally substituted for their Saccharomyces cerevisiae counterparts in vivo.
- The rpc40(+) gene from S. pombe is intronless, while the rpc19(+) gene contains three introns.
- The rpc19(+) gene is located on chromosome I, and the rpc40(+) gene is on chromosome II of S. pombe.
Conclusions:
- The common subunits Rpc19 and Rpc40 of nuclear RNA polymerases I and III are functionally conserved between Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- These findings highlight the evolutionary conservation of core components involved in essential transcription processes.
- The characterized genes provide valuable tools for further genetic and biochemical studies in yeast.