Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Efficient Sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a 96 Multiwell Format
08:54

Efficient Sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a 96 Multiwell Format

Published on: September 17, 2016

10.5K

The Smk1 MAPK and Its Activator, Ssp2, Are Required for Late Prospore Membrane Development in Sporulating

Matthew Durant1, Joseph M Roesner1,2, Xheni Mucelli1

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrisey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Smk1 MAP kinase signaling is crucial for proper prospore membrane development in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its localization with the Leading Edge Protein (LEP) complex ensures correct spore formation during meiosis II.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Yeast Genetics

Background:

  • Prospore membrane development is essential for viable spore formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • The Leading Edge Protein (LEP) complex guides prospore membrane growth during meiosis II.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Smk1 MAP kinase and its activator Ssp2 in prospore membrane formation.
  • To determine the localization dynamics of Smk1 and its relationship with the LEP complex.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized yeast genetics and fluorescence microscopy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Examined the localization of Smk1 and its dependence on Ssp2 and Ady3.
  • Analyzed prospore membrane development in wild-type and mutant strains (smk1, ssp2).

Main Results:

  • Smk1 and Ssp2 transiently localize with the LEP complex during late meiosis II.
  • Ssp2 is required for Smk1's leading edge localization, independent of Smk1 activation.
  • Smk1 localization to the leading edge depends on Ady3.
  • smk1 and ssp2 mutants exhibit disrupted late prospore membrane formation and ectopic compartments.

Conclusions:

  • MAP kinase signaling, specifically involving Smk1, is critical for proper prospore membrane formation.
  • Smk1's localization to the leading edge, mediated by Ssp2 and Ady3, is essential for preventing prospore membrane defects.
Keywords:
MAP kinase signalingSaccharomyces cerevisiaeleading edge protein complexmeiosis IIprospore membranesporulation

More Related Videos

Assay for Adhesion and Agar Invasion in S. cerevisiae04:36

Assay for Adhesion and Agar Invasion in S. cerevisiae

Published on: November 8, 2006

15.3K
Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast08:05

Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast

Published on: September 26, 2025

273

Related Concept Videos

Gene Regulation During Sporulation01:17

Gene Regulation During Sporulation

Sporulation is a complex developmental process that allows certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium species, to survive extreme environmental conditions. This process is tightly regulated by a series of signaling cascades and transcriptional controls, ensuring the formation of a highly resistant endospore.Sporulation is triggered by unfavorable conditions, such as nutrient depletion, and is governed by a phosphorelay system. One of the sensor kinases, such as...
252
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
7.3K
Endospores and Sporulation01:20

Endospores and Sporulation

Endospores are specialized, dormant cells primarily formed by Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus and Clostridium, enabling survival under extreme environmental conditions. Due to their unique composition and formation process, these structures are highly resistant to physical and chemical insults, such as extreme heat, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, desiccation, and toxic chemicals. Rare instances of endospore-like structures have also been observed in some Gram-negative bacteria,...
3.2K
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis02:15

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
6.0K
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
5.4K
Yeast Signaling01:28

Yeast Signaling

Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
16.6K