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Autocrine response of Schizosaccharomyces pombe haploid cells to mating pheromones
K Kitamura1, T Nakamura, F Miki
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Osaka City University, Japan.
Abstract:
The mating response of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is mediated by mating pheromones, M-factor and P-factor, produced by h- and h+ cells, respectively. When the M-factor receptor (Map3) was ectopically expressed in h- cells lacking the P-factor receptor (Mam2), they acquired mating competence in response to M-factor which they secreted. The autocrine response to P-factor in h- cells was so weak that mating competence was not acquired, although expression of the pheromone-responsive gene matl-Pm was detected. These observations support the notion that the intensity of cellular response to mating phermones is different between h- and h+ cells, although downstream pathways of the pheromone receptors are shared by the two mating types.
Insights
Fission yeast mating involves pheromones. Ectopic M-factor receptor expression in h- cells induced mating competence, revealing differential pheromone response intensity between yeast mating types.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Yeast genetics
Background:
- The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe exhibits mating behavior regulated by specific pheromones.
- Mating-type specific pheromones, M-factor and P-factor, are produced by h- and h+ cells, respectively.
- Cellular responses to these pheromones are crucial for initiating the mating process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of pheromone receptors in mediating mating competence in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
- To compare the cellular response intensity to pheromones between h- and h+ mating types.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying differential mating responses in fission yeast.
Main Methods:
- Ectopic expression of the M-factor receptor (Map3) in h- cells.
- Assessing mating competence in genetically modified yeast strains.
- Monitoring the expression of pheromone-responsive genes, such as mat1-Pm.
Main Results:
- Ectopic expression of Map3 in h- cells conferred mating competence in response to secreted M-factor.
- The autocrine response to P-factor in h- cells was insufficient for acquiring mating competence.
- Expression of the mat1-Pm gene was detected in h- cells responding to P-factor, despite lack of mating competence.
Conclusions:
- The intensity of cellular response to mating pheromones differs significantly between h- and h+ cells.
- Despite shared downstream signaling pathways, distinct pheromone response strengths contribute to mating type differences.
- These findings highlight the complex regulation of mating behavior in fission yeast.