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Identification and transcription control of fission yeast genes repressed by an ammonium starvation growth arrest

C Bonnet1, E Perret, X Dumont

  • 1Laboratoire Arago, UMR 7628 du CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, B.P. 44, F-66651 Banyuls sur Mer, France.

Yeast (Chichester, England)
|January 6, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Ammonium starvation in fission yeast triggers cell cycle arrest and meiosis. This study reveals that both the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and Wis1-dependent MAP kinase pathways coordinate to downregulate genes essential for cell growth during starvation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) undergoes growth arrest, cell cycle exit, and meiosis upon ammonium starvation.
  • This starvation response is regulated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and the Wis1-dependent MAP kinase cascade.
  • Understanding how gene expression adapts during this transition is crucial for comprehending cellular homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the adaptive genetic program of fission yeast transitioning from mitotic growth to starvation.
  • To identify genes repressed during ammonium starvation and understand their regulatory mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Differential transcript analysis comparing mRNA from exponentially growing and ammonium-starved fission yeast.
  • Analysis of gene expression in mutant strains with altered PKA and Wis1 pathway activity (Deltacgs1, Deltawis1, Deltacgs1+Deltawis1).

Main Results:

  • Genes involved in cell growth, protein synthesis, and global metabolism are repressed during ammonium starvation.
  • Transcriptional inhibition of ribosomal proteins (e.g., Rps6, TCTP) is regulated by either the PKA pathway, the Wis1 pathway, or both.
  • The PKA and Wis1 pathways coordinately control the downregulation of highly expressed genes during starvation.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular homeostasis during the switch to ammonium starvation is maintained by downregulating essential growth-related genes.
  • Both PKA and Wis1-dependent pathways play critical roles in mediating this transcriptional repression.
  • This coordinated regulation ensures efficient adaptation to nutrient deprivation.

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