Identification and characterization of genes induced during sexual differentiation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Five cDNA clones, harboring genetic messages preferentially expressed during the sexual differentiation process, were isolated from a cDNA library of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by subtractive screening. Transcription of the corresponding genes, termed isp3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, was dependent on nitrogen starvation and their induction occurred at several stages of spore formation. Analysis of the cDNA primary structures revealed a capacity for the coding of polypeptides of 19.2 kDa, 88.3 kDa, 60.1 kDa, 49.7 kDa, and 43.8 kDa, respectively. The translated amino-acid sequences of isp5 and isp6 were found to show significant similarities to those of amino-acid permeases and proteinase B of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively. Disruption of isp6 arrested the cell cycle prior to conjugation and caused a drastic blocking effect on spore formation.