A SAGA of histone acetylation and gene expression.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Hampsey.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Recessive mutations in the SSU71, SSU72 and SSU73 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified as either suppressors or enhancers of a TFIIB defect (sua7-1) that confers both a cold-sensitive growth phenotype and a downstream shift in transcription start site selection. The SSU71 (TFG1) gene encodes the largest subunit of TFIIF and SSU72 encodes a novel protein that is essential for cell viability. Here we report that SSU73 is identical to RPB9, the gene encoding the 14.2 kDa subunit of RNA polymerase II. The ssu73-1 suppressor compensates for both the growth defect and the downstream shift in start site selection associated with sua7-1. These effects are similar to those of the ssu71-1 suppressor and distinct from the ssu72-1 enhancer. The ssu73-1 allele was retrieved and sequenced, revealing a nonsense mutation at codon 107. Consequently, ssu73-1 encodes a truncated form of Rpb9 lacking the C-terminal 16 amino acids. This Rpb9 derivative retains at least partial function since the ssu73-1 mutant exhibits none of the growth defects associated with rpb9 null mutants. However, in a SUA7+ background, ssu73-1 confers the same upstream shift at ADH1 as an rpb9 null allele. This suggests that the C-terminus of Rpb9 functions in start site selection and demonstrates that the previously observed effects of rpb9 mutations on start site selection are not necessarily due to complete loss of function. These results establish a functional interaction between TFIIB and the Rpb9 subunit of RNA polymerase II and suggest that these two components of the preinitiation complex interact during transcription start site selection.
An ssu72 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified as an enhancer of a TFIIB defect (sua7-1) that confers both a cold-sensitive growth defect and a downstream shift in transcription start site selection. The ssu72-1 allele did not affect cold sensitivity but, in combination with sua7-1, created a heat-sensitive phenotype. Moreover, start site selection at the ADH1 gene was dramatically shifted further downstream of the normal sites. Both of these effects could be rescued by either SUA7 or SSU72, thereby defining a functional relationship between the two genes. SSU72 is a single-copy, essential gene encoding a novel protein of 206 amino acids. The ssu72-1 allele is the result of a 30-bp duplication creating a sequence encoding a Cys-X2-Cys-X6-Cys-X2-Cys zinc binding motif near the N terminus of Ssu72p. Mutational analysis demonstrated that the N terminus of Ssu72p is essential for function and that cysteine residues in both the normal and mutant proteins are critical. We discuss the possibility that the potential zinc binding motif of Ssu72 facilitates assembly of the transcription preinitiation complex and that this effect is important for accurate start site selection in vivo.
Sequence analysis of the newly defined SSU81 gene revealed an adjacent open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein whose deduced amino acid sequence is identical to that of ribosomal protein L17. The DNA sequence of this region is different from that of the RPL17A gene and therefore represents a duplicate gene encoding L17. We have designated this gene RPL17B. The RPL17B coding region is split by an intron that occurs in the same position (codons 14/15) as the intron in RPL17A. The RPL17B promoter region includes two TATA boxes, a canonical UASRPG motif, and several pyrimidine-rich tracts. RPL17B was mapped by CHEF and lambda clone grid hybridization blots to the right arm of chromosome V, linked to the TRP2 and RAD51 genes. A partial ORF was identified adjacent to RPL17B and SSU81 that is homologous to an ORF (designated A509) physically linked to RPL17A. This observation, and the identical position of the introns within the RPL17 genes, suggest that one RPL17 locus arose by duplication and translocation of the other.
SSU71 (TFG1) is an essential nuclear gene encoding the largest subunit of the yeast general transcription factor TFIIF. The SSU71 gene was physically mapped to the right arm of chromosome VII, physically linked to QCR9, by hybridization of the cloned gene to CHEF and lambda clone grid blots. This assignment was confirmed by genetic mapping. A search of the nucleotide sequence databases revealed that SSU71 is immediately adjacent to the TYS1 gene, which encodes tRNA(Tyr) synthetase. TYS1 was reported previously to lie on chromosome XV based on sequence overlap with the adjacent UBR1 gene. The mapping data reported here established that TYS1 and UBR1 do not lie on chromosome XV; rather the SSU71-TYS1-UBR1 gene cluster lies on the right arm of chromosome VII, physically linked to QCR9 and genetically linked to ade3 and ser2.
Mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SSU71 gene were isolated as suppressors of a transcription factor TFIIB defect that confers both a cold-sensitive growth defect and a downstream shift in transcription start-site selection at the cyc1 locus. The ssu71-1 suppressor not only suppresses the conditional phenotype but also restores the normal pattern of transcription initiation at cyc1. In addition, the ssu71-1 suppressor confers a heat-sensitive phenotype that is dependent upon the presence of the defective form of TFIIB. Molecular and genetic analysis of the cloned SSU71 gene demonstrated that SSU71 is a single-copy essential gene encoding a highly charged protein with a molecular mass of 82,194 daltons. Comparison of the deduced Ssu71 amino acid sequence with the protein data banks revealed significant similarity to RAP74, the larger subunit of the human general transcription factor TFIIF. Moreover, Ssu71 is identical to p105, a component of yeast TFIIF. Taken together, these data demonstrate a functional interaction between TFIIB and the large subunit of TFIIF and that this interaction can affect start-site selection in vivo.
The SUA7 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes the general transcription factor TFIIB. SUA7 was identified based on the ability of mutations at this locus to shift transcription start site selection at the cyc1 gene downstream of normal. Here, we report the nature of these mutations; the sua7-1 and sua7-2 alleles encode identical E62K replacements, and sua7-3 encodes an R78C replacement. Both Glu-62 and Arg-78 are phylogenetically invariant and occur within the most highly conserved region of TFIIB, immediately distal to a zinc finger motif. A double E62K,R78C mutant was constructed and exhibited the same phenotypes associated with the single mutants, including cold sensitivity and altered start site selection, suggesting that Glu-62 and Arg-78 are functionally related. This observation, and the opposite charge of the 2 residues, suggested that Glu-62 and Arg-78 might interact to form a salt bridge. This was tested by constructing reciprocal E62R and R78E replacements. The E62R mutant is phenotypically identical to the E62K mutant, whereas the R78E mutant is inviable. However, an E62R,R78E double mutant was not only viable but is phenotypically similar to the single mutants. These results define the highly conserved sequence adjacent to the zinc finger of TFIIB as a critical determinant of start site selection and suggest that an Glu-62-Arg-78 salt bridge is an important structural element of that domain.
Mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae sua8 gene were found to be suppressors of an aberrant ATG translation initiation codon in the leader region of the cyc1 gene. Analysis of cyc1 transcripts from sua8 mutants revealed that suppression is a consequence of diminished transcription initiation at the normal start sites in favor of initiation at downstream sites, including a site between the aberrant and normal ATG start codons. This effect is not cyc1 gene specific since initiation at other genes, including ADH1, CYC7, and HIS4, was similarly affected, although initiation at HIS3 and SPT15 was unaffected. The SUA8 gene was cloned and partially sequenced, revealing identity to RPB1, which encodes the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. The sua8 suppressors are the result of single amino acid replacements of highly conserved residues. Three replacements were found either within or immediately preceding homology block D, and a fourth was found adjacent to homology block H, indicating that these regions play a role in defining start sites in vivo. Nearly identical effects on start site selection were observed for sua7 suppressors, which encode altered forms of TFIIB. Synthetic lethality was associated with double sua7 sua8 suppressor mutations, and recessive sua7 mutants failed to fully complement recessive sua8 mutants in heterozygous diploids (nonallelic noncomplementation). These data indicate that the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II and TFIIB are important determinants of transcription start site selection in S. cerevisiae and suggest that this function might be conferred by interaction between these two proteins.
The Kluyveromyces lactis gene encoding the general transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) was isolated from a genomic library by complementation of the cold-sensitive phenotype conferred by a mutation in the SUA7 gene, which encodes TFIIB in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. DNA sequence analysis of the KI-SUA7 gene revealed a 357 amino acid open reading frame that is 67% identical (81% overall similarity) to S. cerevisiae TFIIB. Comparison with other eukaryotic TFIIBs indicated that the most highly conserved sequence is located adjacent to the Zn-finger motif near the N-terminus. A plasmid shuffle system was used to replace the essential Sc-SUA7 gene with KI-SUA7 in S.cerevisiae. The resulting strain was viable and phenotypically indistinguishable from the normal strain. However, transcription start site selection at the ADH1 locus, shown previously to be affected by mutations in Sc-SUA7, was affected by K.lactis TFIIB. This result provides further evidence that TFIIB is a principal determinant of start site selection in yeast.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUA7 gene were isolated as suppressors of an aberrant ATG translation initiation codon in the leader region of the cyc1 gene. Molecular and genetic analysis of the cloned SUA7 gene demonstrated that SUA7 is a single copy, essential gene encoding a basic protein (calculated Mr of 38,142) that is homologous to human transcription factor TFIIB. Analysis of cyc1 transcripts from sua7 strains revealed that suppression is a consequence of diminished transcription initiation at the normal start sites in favor of initiation at downstream sites, including a major site between the aberrant and normal ATG start codons. A similar effect was found at the ADH1 locus, establishing that this effect is not cyc1 gene-specific. Thus, SUA7 encodes a yeast TFIIB homolog and functions in transcription start site selection.
We have identified the sua5 locus as a suppressor of an aberrant ATG codon located in the leader region of the cyc1 gene. The sua5-1 allele enhances the iso-1-cytochrome c steady state level in the cyc1-1019 mutant from 2% to approximately 60% of normal (Cyc+) and also confers a marked slow growth (Slg-) phenotype. Suppression is not a consequence of altered transcription initiation at the cyc1 locus. The SUA5 wild-type gene was isolated and sequenced, revealing an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a potential protein of 46,537 Da. SUA5 transcript analyses were consistent with expression of the predicted ORF and Sua5 antisera detected a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 44 kDa. SUA5 was mapped to chromosome VII, immediately adjacent to the PMR1 gene. Hybridization analysis revealed the presence of a related gene on chromosome XII. Neither the SUA5 DNA sequence nor deduced amino acid sequence showed homology to any sequences in the data banks. Disruption of SUA5 conferred the same Cyc+ and Slg- phenotypes as the sua5-1 suppressor, which is the result of a missense mutation, encoding a Ser107----Phe replacement. In addition, sua5 null mutants lack cytochrome a.a3 and fail to grow on lactate or glycerol medium. These results define SUA5 as a new gene encoding a novel protein that is necessary for normal cell growth.
The cyc1-362 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is deficient in iso-1-cytochrome c as a consequence of an aberrant ATG codon that initiates a short open reading frame (uORF) in the cyc1 transcribed leader region. We have isolated and characterized functional revertants of cyc1-362 in an effort to define cis- and trans-acting factors that can suppress the effect of the uORF. Genetic and DNA sequence analyses have defined three classes of revertants: (i) those that acquired point mutations in the upstream ATG (uATG), restoring iso-1-cytochrome c to its normal level; (ii) substitution of the normal A residue at position -1 relative to the uATG by either C or T, enhancing iso-1-cytochrome c production from approximately 2% to 6% (C) or 10% (T) of normal, indicating that the nucleotide immediately preceding the initiator codon can affect the efficiency of AUG start codon recognition and that purines are preferred over pyrimidines at this site; and (iii) extragenic suppressors that enhance iso-1-cytochrome c expression to 10-40% of normal while retaining the uATG. These suppressors are represented by five different genes, designated sua1-sua4 and sua6. In contrast to the previously described sua7 and sua8 suppressors, they do not compensate for the uATG by affecting cyc1 transcription start site selection. Potential suppressor mechanisms are discussed.
Gly6 (vertebrate numbering system) is an evolutionarily invariant amino acid located in an electron-dense region of cytochrome c. Serine, cysteine, and aspartic acid replacements of Gly6 abolished yeast iso-1-cytochrome c function, presumably by destabilizing the mature forms of the altered proteins (1). Here we report that genetic reversion analysis of these mutants has uncovered a single base-pair substitution, encoding an Asn52----Ile replacement, that suppresses all three position 6 defects, as well as a Gly6....Gly29----Ser6....Ser29 double replacement. In each case the suppressor restored at least partial function to the altered iso-1-cytochromes c, with the Sera6....Ile52 protein being nearly indistinguishable from the normal protein. The suppressor also affected otherwise normal iso-1-cytochrome c, enhancing the in vivo amount of the protein by about 20%. While this work was in progress, Das et al. (1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 496-499) uncovered Ile52 as a suppressor of single Gly29 and His33 replacements in iso-1-cytochrome c. The ability of Ile52 to suppress amino acid replacements at three different sites, and its effect in isolation from the primary mutations, defines Ile52 as a global suppressor of specific iso-1-cytochrome c structural defects. These data suggest that position 52 plays a critical role in the folding and/or stability of iso-1-cytochrome c.
The cycl-362 allele contains a point mutation that generates an aberrant AUG codon upstream of the normal CYC1 translation initiation codon. Mutants containing this allele express only about 2% of normal iso-1-cytochrome c, presumably due to translation initiation at the upstream AUG, termination at a UAA sequence six codons downstream, and failure to reinitiate at the normal AUG codon two nucleotides later. Both intragenic and extragenic revertants of cycl-362, expressing elevated levels of iso-1-cytochrome c, have been isolated simply by selecting for growth on lactate medium. Here we describe an improved method for isolating and readily distinguishing cis- from trans-acting suppressors of the upstream AUG. Eight different genes, designated sua1-sua8, are represented in our current collection of extragenic suppressors; all are recessive and enhance iso-1-cytochrome c levels to 10-60% of normal. None of the sua genes is allelic to SUI2 or sui3, which encode eIF-2 alpha and eIF-2 beta, respectively, or to SUI1. Many of the suppressors exhibit pleiotropic phenotypes, including slow growth, cold (16 degrees C) and heat (37 degrees C) sensitivity. These phenotypes have been exploited to clone the SUA5, SUA7 and SUA8 genes, which are presently being characterized. The structure of cyc1-362 and the number of sua genes already uncovered suggest that the SUA genes are likely to encode factors affecting several different cellular processes, including translation initiation, mRNA stability and possibly transcription start site selection.
A collection of isogenic yeast strains that is specifically diagnostic for the six possible base-pair substitutions is described. Each strain contains a single, unique base-pair substitution at the Cys-22 codon of the CYC1 gene, which codes for iso-1-cytochrome c. These mutations encode replacements of the functionally critical Cys-22 and render each strain unable to grow on media containing nonfermentable carbon sources (Cyc-). Specific base-pair substitutions, which restore the Cys-22 codon, can be monitored simply by scoring for reversion to the Cyc+ phenotype. These strains revert spontaneously at very low frequencies and exhibit specific patterns of reversion in response to different mutagens. Only true (CYC1+) revertants were recovered after 7 days on selection medium. The following mutagen specificities were observed: ethyl methanesulfonate and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, G.C----A.T; 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, G.C----T.A and G.C----A.T; diepoxybutane, A.T----T.A, A.T----G.C and G.C----T.A; 5-azacytidine, G.C----C.G. Methyl methanesulfonate induced all six mutations, albeit at relatively low frequencies, with preference for A.T----T.A and A.T----G.C. Ultraviolet light was the most inefficient mutagen used in this study, consistent with its preference for transition mutations at dipyrimidine sequences reported in other systems. This tester system is valuable as a simple and reliable assay for specific mutations without DNA sequence analysis.