Functional interaction between the CSE2 gene product and centromeres in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cse2-1 allele was identified through a genetic screen for mutations affecting chromosome segregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This mutation confers cold and temperature sensitivity and causes increases in mitotic chromosome non-disjunction and loss. The CSE2 gene encodes a 17 kDa protein with a basic region-leucine zipper motif. Disruption of CSE2 is not lethal but results in the accumulation of large-budded cells. Here, we report that disruption of CSE2 results in a significant increase in chromosome missegregation, slower growth and defective meiosis. The combination of the CSE2 disruption and a mutant centromere results in a synergistic effect on both cell growth and cell viability. These data suggest a functional interaction between the CSE2 protein and the yeast centromere.