A role for the Gal11 protein in pheromone-induced transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The product of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL11 gene, Gal11p, is required for the proper expression of a wide range of genes including many mating-type-specific genes. In this study Gal11p is shown to have a role in the induction of transcription by pheromone. Basal transcription of an a-specific gene is unaffected by loss of Gal11p but pheromone treatment fails to increase transcription. A haploid-specific gene is shown to retain pheromone-inducibility in the absence of Gal11p but the extent of induction is drastically reduced. Evidence is also presented that suggests the existence of strain differences that can alter the phenotype of gal11 mutants.