Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
Monitoring Protein-RNA Interaction Dynamics In Vivo at High Temporal Resolution Using χCRAC
Published on: May 9, 2020
The Histone Acetyltransferase Gcn5 Regulates ncRNA-ICR1 and FLO11 Expression during Pseudohyphal Development in
Long-Chi Wang1, Fernando Montalvo-Munoz2, Yuan-Chan Tsai2
1Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan ; Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Filamentous growth is one of the key features of pathogenic fungi during the early infectious phase. The pseudohyphal development of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae shares similar characteristics with hyphae elongation in pathogenic fungi. The expression of FLO11 is essential for adhesive growth and filament formation in yeast and is governed by a multilayered transcriptional network. Here we discovered a role for the histone acetyltransferase general control nonderepressible 5 (Gcn5) in regulating FLO11-mediated pseudohyphal growth. The expression patterns of FLO11 were distinct in haploid and diploid yeast under amino acid starvation induced by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3AT). In diploids, FLO11 expression was substantially induced at a very early stage of pseudohyphal development and decreased quickly, but in haploids, it was gradually induced. Furthermore, the transcription factor Gcn4 was recruited to the Sfl1-Flo8 toggle sites at the FLO11 promoter under 3AT treatment. Moreover, the histone acetylase activity of Gcn5 was required for FLO11 induction. Finally, Gcn5 functioned as a negative regulator of the noncoding RNA ICR1, which is known to suppress FLO11 expression. Gcn5 plays an important role in the regulatory network of FLO11 expression via Gcn4 by downregulating ICR1 expression, which derepresses FLO11 for promoting pseudohyphal development.
Insights
The histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 regulates yeast pseudohyphal growth by controlling FLO11 gene expression. Gcn5 downregulates ICR1, a repressor, thereby promoting filamentous development in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Mycology
- Genetics
Background:
- Filamentous growth is crucial for pathogenic fungi during infection.
- Pseudohyphal development in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mimics pathogenic fungal hyphae.
- FLO11 gene expression is vital for yeast adhesion and filament formation, regulated by a complex transcriptional network.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 in regulating FLO11-mediated pseudohyphal growth in yeast.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing FLO11 expression under specific stress conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of FLO11 expression patterns in haploid and diploid yeast under amino acid starvation (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole).
- Investigated the recruitment of transcription factor Gcn4 to the FLO11 promoter.
- Assessed the requirement of Gcn5's histone acetylase activity for FLO11 induction.
- Examined Gcn5's regulatory role on the noncoding RNA ICR1.
Main Results:
- FLO11 expression patterns differed between haploid and diploid yeast under 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole treatment.
- Gcn5's histone acetylase activity was essential for FLO11 induction.
- Gcn5 negatively regulated the expression of the noncoding RNA ICR1.
- Gcn5, through Gcn4, downregulates ICR1, leading to FLO11 derepression and pseudohyphal development.
Conclusions:
- Gcn5 is a key regulator in the network controlling FLO11 expression and pseudohyphal development.
- Gcn5 influences yeast filamentous growth by modulating the Gcn4-ICR1-FLO11 pathway.
- Understanding Gcn5's role provides insights into fungal pathogenesis and gene regulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Gene Regulation During Sporulation
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
03:17Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
02:32Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
02:32Histone Modification