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Chemical synthesis of the M-factor mating pheromone from Schizosaccharomyces pombe
1Department of Chemistry, College of Staten Island, City University of New York 10314.
Abstract:
Conjugation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is controlled by the reciprocal action of mating pheromones. We recently showed that M-factor, the pheromone released by cells of the cellular mating type Minus, is a nonapeptide in which the C-terminal cysteine residue is carboxyl-methylated and S-alkylated, probably with a farnesyl residue (Davey, 1992): Tyr-Thr-Pro-Lys-Val-Pro-Tyr-Met-Cys(S-farnesyl)- OCH3. Here we describe the chemical synthesis of this modified peptide and show that it exhibits all of the properties of the native pheromone. These results confirm the structure of the M-factor while the production of relatively large amounts of pure pheromone will be invaluable for studying the mating response in this yeast.
Insights
Researchers chemically synthesized the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe M-factor pheromone. This synthetic M-factor replicates native pheromone properties, aiding further study of yeast mating responses.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Yeast Genetics
- Chemical Synthesis
Background:
- Conjugation in fission yeast is regulated by mating pheromones.
- M-factor, from Minus mating-type cells, is a modified nonapeptide.
- Previous work identified a likely structure: Tyr-Thr-Pro-Lys-Val-Pro-Tyr-Met-Cys(S-farnesyl)-OCH3.
Purpose of the Study:
- To chemically synthesize the M-factor pheromone.
- To confirm the proposed structure of the M-factor.
- To produce sufficient pure M-factor for future research.
Main Methods:
- Chemical synthesis of the nonapeptide pheromone.
- Characterization of the synthetic peptide.
- Biological activity assays to compare with native pheromone.
Main Results:
- Successful chemical synthesis of the modified M-factor nonapeptide.
- The synthetic M-factor demonstrated all properties of the native pheromone.
- Confirmation of the M-factor's chemical structure.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized M-factor validates its proposed structure.
- Availability of pure synthetic M-factor facilitates research into yeast mating.
- This work advances understanding of pheromone-mediated conjugation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.