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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Genetic Screen for Identification of Multicopy Suppressors in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Published on: September 13, 2022
A Genome-Wide Screen for Wortmannin-Resistant Mutants in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: The Phosphorylation-Impaired
Merve Yılmazer1, Burcu Kartal2, Çağatay Tarhan1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
Complex human diseases such as metabolic disorders, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and mitochondrial dysfunctions arise from the biochemical or genetic defects in various cellular processes. Therefore, it is important to understand which metabolic processes are affected by which cellular impairment. Because genome-wide screening of mutant collections (haploid/diploid deletion library) provides important clues for the understanding of conserved biological processes and for finding potential target genes, we screened the haploid mutant collection of Schizosaccharomyces pombe with wortmannin that inhibits phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling. Using genome-wide screening, we determined that 52 mutants were resistant to this chemical. When 52 genes that are deleted in these mutants were grouped in 41 different biological processes, we found that 37 of them have human orthologues and 4 genes were associated with human metabolic disorders. In addition, when we examined the pathways in which these 52 genes function, we determined that 9 genes were related to phosphorylation process. These results might provide new insights for better understanding of certain human diseases.
Insights
This study screened yeast mutants for resistance to wortmannin, identifying 52 genes. Four of these genes are linked to human metabolic disorders, offering potential insights into disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Complex human diseases stem from defects in cellular processes.
- Understanding affected metabolic pathways is crucial for disease research.
- Genome-wide screening aids in identifying conserved biological processes and target genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen the haploid mutant collection of *Schizosaccharomyces pombe* (yeast) using wortmannin.
- To identify genes and biological processes affected by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling inhibition.
- To find potential links between yeast genes and human diseases, particularly metabolic disorders.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide screening of a *Schizosaccharomyces pombe* haploid deletion library.
- Treatment with wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling.
- Analysis of 52 wortmannin-resistant mutants and their deleted genes.
- Grouping of deleted genes into biological processes and identification of human orthologues.
Main Results:
- 52 yeast mutants exhibited resistance to wortmannin.
- The 52 deleted genes were associated with 41 distinct biological processes.
- 37 of these genes have human orthologues.
- 4 genes were identified as being associated with human metabolic disorders.
- 9 genes were found to be involved in phosphorylation pathways.
Conclusions:
- The study identified yeast genes linked to human metabolic disorders through genome-wide screening.
- Findings suggest potential new insights into the understanding of complex human diseases.
- The identified genes and pathways may serve as targets for future research into disease mechanisms.
