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Updated: May 5, 2026
Rapid Identification of Chemical Genetic Interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: April 5, 2015
Global transcriptome and deletome profiles of yeast exposed to transition metals
Yong Hwan Jin1, Paul E Dunlap, Sandra J McBride
1Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Abstract:
A variety of pathologies are associated with exposure to supraphysiological concentrations of essential metals and to non-essential metals and metalloids. The molecular mechanisms linking metal exposure to human pathologies have not been clearly defined. To address these gaps in our understanding of the molecular biology of transition metals, the genomic effects of exposure to Group IB (copper, silver), IIB (zinc, cadmium, mercury), VIA (chromium), and VB (arsenic) elements on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were examined. Two comprehensive sets of metal-responsive genomic profiles were generated following exposure to equi-toxic concentrations of metal: one that provides information on the transcriptional changes associated with metal exposure (transcriptome), and a second that provides information on the relationship between the expression of approximately 4,700 non-essential genes and sensitivity to metal exposure (deletome). Approximately 22% of the genome was affected by exposure to at least one metal. Principal component and cluster analyses suggest that the chemical properties of the metal are major determinants in defining the expression profile. Furthermore, cells may have developed common or convergent regulatory mechanisms to accommodate metal exposure. The transcriptome and deletome had 22 genes in common, however, comparison between Gene Ontology biological processes for the two gene sets revealed that metal stress adaptation and detoxification categories were commonly enriched. Analysis of the transcriptome and deletome identified several evolutionarily conserved, signal transduction pathways that may be involved in regulating the responses to metal exposure. In this study, we identified genes and cognate signaling pathways that respond to exposure to essential and non-essential metals. In addition, genes that are essential for survival in the presence of these metals were identified. This information will contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanism by which organisms respond to metal stress, and could lead to an understanding of the connection between environmental stress and signal transduction pathways.
Insights
This study investigated the genomic effects of essential and non-essential metals on yeast, revealing that metal properties dictate cellular responses and identifying conserved pathways for metal stress adaptation. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for linking environmental exposures to human health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Metal exposure, both essential and non-essential, is linked to various human pathologies.
- The precise molecular mechanisms underlying metal-induced pathologies remain unclear.
- Understanding metal-specific genomic responses is vital for deciphering these connections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomic effects of essential and non-essential metals on Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- To identify molecular mechanisms and conserved pathways involved in cellular responses to metal stress.
- To bridge the gap between environmental metal exposure and human health implications.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of yeast to equi-toxic concentrations of Group IB, IIB, VIA, and VB metals.
- Generation of metal-responsive genomic profiles: transcriptome (transcriptional changes) and deletome (gene essentiality).
- Analysis using principal component, cluster, and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses.
Main Results:
- Approximately 22% of the yeast genome was affected by metal exposure.
- Metal chemical properties significantly influenced genomic expression profiles.
- Common regulatory mechanisms and conserved signal transduction pathways were identified for metal stress adaptation and detoxification.
- 22 genes were common to both transcriptome and deletome analyses.
Conclusions:
- Metal exposure induces significant genomic alterations in yeast.
- Cellular responses to metal stress involve conserved regulatory pathways.
- This research provides insights into molecular mechanisms of metal stress, aiding in understanding environmental stress impacts on signal transduction.
