Related Experiment Videos
Cellular function of protein phosphatase 2C in yeast
1Department of Molecular Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Cellular & Molecular Biology Research
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) is crucial for eukaryotic cells. Genetic analysis in fission yeast revealed PP2C
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) is a major class of protein serine/threonine-phosphatases.
- PP2C requires Mg2+ for activity and is found ubiquitously in eukaryotes.
- While biochemically characterized in mammals, PP2C's biological functions remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the cellular functions of PP2C using genetic approaches.
- To investigate the role of PP2C in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of three PP2C homologs (ptc1+, ptc2+, ptc3+) in S. pombe.
- Detection of PP2C activity in S. pombe cell lysates.
- Construction and analysis of ptc mutants using gene disruption techniques.
Main Results:
- PP2C homologs ptc1+, ptc2+, and ptc3+ were identified and their activity confirmed in S. pombe.
- ptc mutants exhibited altered responses to heat shock.
- Evidence suggests PP2C involvement in osmoregulation in yeast.
Conclusions:
- PP2C plays a significant role in cellular stress responses, specifically heat shock.
- PP2C may be involved in maintaining osmotic balance in yeast cells.
- Genetic analysis in S. pombe provides insights into the biological functions of PP2C.