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Characterization of two new genes down-regulated by alpha-factor
1Lehrstühl fur Zellbiologie und Pflanzenphysiologie, Universität Regensburg, Germany.
Yeast (Chichester, England)
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Researchers identified two new Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes, alpha0.5 and alpha0.6, that are down-regulated by alpha-factor. These genes encode proteins with signal peptides, but their disruption does not cause significant cellular defects.
Area of Science:
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Yeast Genetics
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Alpha-factor is a key regulator in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle progression.
- Understanding gene regulation by alpha-factor is crucial for deciphering yeast developmental pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel genes directly down-regulated by alpha-factor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- To characterize the function and localization of these newly identified genes.
Main Methods:
- Differential screening of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae lambda gt10 gene bank using cDNA from alpha-factor treated cells.
- Gene mapping, protein characterization using antibodies, and gene disruption experiments.
Main Results:
- Two novel genes, alpha0.5 and alpha0.6, were identified as being down-regulated by alpha-factor.
- alpha0.5 encodes a 59 amino-acid protein localized to the membrane fraction and is homologous to HOR7.
- alpha0.6 encodes a 133 amino-acid protein homologous to the N-terminal half of the SED1 gene product.
Conclusions:
- Alpha0.5 and alpha0.6 represent new components in the alpha-factor response pathway.
- Despite encoding signal peptides and exhibiting homology to known proteins, disruption of these genes does not result in an observable phenotype.