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Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein phosphatase 2A performs an essential cellular function and is encoded by two genes
A A Sneddon1, P T Cohen, M J Stark
1Department of Biochemistry, The University, Dundee, UK.
The EMBO Journal
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Two yeast genes, PPH21 and PPH22, encode protein phosphatase 2A. Disruption of both genes is lethal, revealing protein phosphatase 2A activity as essential for yeast cell function.
Area of Science:
- * Molecular Biology
- * Yeast Genetics
- * Protein Phosphatase Research
Background:
- * Protein serine-threonine phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a crucial enzyme involved in various cellular processes.
- * Homologues of PP2A in yeast are important models for studying conserved eukaryotic functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To clone and characterize the yeast homologues of protein phosphatase 2A.
- * To investigate the essentiality of PP2A activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Main Methods:
- * Cloning of two yeast genes, PPH21 and PPH22, using a rabbit PP2A cDNA probe.
- * Genetic analysis including gene disruption and assessment of viability.
- * Measurement of protein phosphatase 2A activity in yeast strains.
Main Results:
- * PPH21 and PPH22 encode yeast PP2A homologues with high sequence identity to the rabbit enzyme.
- * The two genes are genetically linked on chromosome IV and show minimal divergence.
- * Disruption of either PPH21 or PPH22 alone has no major effect, but double disruption is lethal.
- * These genes account for the majority of cellular PP2A activity.
Conclusions:
- * Protein phosphatase 2A activity is essential for yeast cell viability.
- * PPH21 and PPH22 are the primary genes responsible for PP2A activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- * The high sequence conservation highlights the fundamental role of PP2A across species.