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Aux1p/Swa2p is required for cortical endoplasmic reticulum inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is found at the periphery of the cell and around the nucleus. The segregation of ER through the mother-bud neck may occur by more than one mechanism because perinuclear, but not peripheral ER, requires microtubules for this event. To identify genes whose products are required for cortical ER inheritance, we have used a Tn3-based transposon library to mutagenize cells expressing a green fluorescent protein-tagged ER marker protein (Hmg1p). This approach has revealed that AUX1/SWA2 plays a role in ER inheritance. The COOH terminus of Aux1p/Swa2p contains a J-domain that is highly related to the J-domain of auxilin, which stimulates the uncoating of clathrin-coated vesicles. Deletion of the J-domain of Aux1p/Swa2p leads to vacuole fragmentation and membrane accumulation but does not affect the migration of peripheral ER into daughter cells. These findings suggest that Aux1p/Swa2p may be a bifunctional protein with roles in membrane traffic and cortical ER inheritance. In support of this hypothesis, we find that Aux1p/Swa2p localizes to ER membranes.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗

A test of the transcription model for biased inheritance of yeast mitochondrial DNA.

Two strand-specific origins of replication appear to be required for mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication. Structural equivalents of these origins are found in the rep sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mtDNA. These striking similarities have contributed to a universal model for the initiation of mtDNA replication in which a primer is created by cleavage of an origin region transcript. Consistent with this model are the properties of deletion mutants of yeast mtDNA ([rho-]) with a high density of reps (HS [rho-]). These mutant mtDNAs are preferentially inherited by the progeny resulting from the mating of HS [rho-] cells with cells containing wild-type mtDNA ([rho+]). This bias is presumed to result from a replication advantage conferred on HS [rho-] mtDNA by the high density of rep sequences acting as origins. To test whether transcription is indeed required for the preferential inheritance of HS [rho-] mtDNA, we deleted the nuclear gene (RPO41) for the mitochondrial RNA polymerase, reducing transcripts by at least 1000-fold. Since [rho-] genomes, but not [rho+] genomes, are stable when RPO41 is deleted, we examined matings between HS [rho-] and neutral [rho-] cells. Neutral [rho-] mtDNAs lack rep sequences and are not preferentially inherited in [rho-] x [rho+] crosses. In HS [rho-] x neutral [rho-] matings, the HS [rho-] mtDNA was preferentially inherited whether both parents were wild type or both were deleted for RPO41. Thus, transcription from the rep promoter does not appear to be necessary for biased inheritance. Our results, and analysis of the literature, suggest that priming by transcription is not a universal mechanism for mtDNA replication initiation.

Cell Nucleus↗

[Hereditary optic atrophies].

Congenital or infantile autosomal recessive optic atrophy is rare. The autosomal recessive syndrome of optic atrophy associated with diabetes is less rare. Dominant juvenile optic atrophy occurs frequently. Behr's heredo-familial optic atrophy, with its neurological mainfestations and its recessive autosomal inheritance, is rare. Sex-linked optic atrophy is exceptional. Leber's optic neuritis occurs frequently. Its heredity is apparently sex-linked, but no classical mode of transmission can be applied. Cytoplasmic heredity is the most probable.

Diabetes Complications↗

Maternal inheritance of P cytotype in Drosophila melanogaster: a "pre-P cytotype" is strictly extra-chromosomally transmitted.

In Drosophila melanogaster, transposition of the P element is under the control of a cellular state known as cytotype. The P cytotype represses P transposition whereas the M cytotype is permissive for transposition. In the long-term, the P cytotype is determined by chromosomal P elements but over a small number of generations it is maternally inherited. In order to analyse the nature of this maternal inheritance, we tested whether a maternal component can be transmitted without chromosomal P elements. We used a stable determinant of P cytotype, linked to the presence of two P elements at the tip of the X chromosome (1A site) in a genome devoid of other P elements. We measured P repression capacity using two different assays: gonadal dysgenic sterility (GD) and P-lacZ transgene repression. We show that zygotes derived from a P cytotype female (heterozygous for P (1A)/balancer devoid of P copies) and which inherit no chromosomal P elements from the mother, have, however, maternally received a P-type extra-chromosomal component: this component is insufficient to specify the P cytotype if the zygote formed does not carry chromosomal P elements but can promote P cytotype determination if regulatory P elements have been introduced paternally. We refer to this strictly extra-chromosomally inherited state as the "pre-P cytotype". In addition, we show that a zygote that has the pre-P cytotype but which has not inherited any chromosomal P elements, does not transmit the pre-P cytotype to the following generation. The nature of the molecular determinants of the pre-P cytotype is discussed.

Animals↗

Maternal inheritance, sexual conflict and the maladapted male.

Females differ from males in transmitting not only nuclear genes but also cytoplasmic genetic elements (CGEs), including DNA in mitochondria, chloroplasts and microorganisms that are present in the cell. Until recently, evolutionary research has adopted a nucleocentric approach in which organelles have been viewed as subservient energy suppliers. In this article, we propose that a more equitable view of nuclear genes and organelle genomes will lead to a better understanding of the dynamics of sexual selection and the constraints on male adaptation. Maternal inheritance of CGEs intensifies sexually-antagonistic coevolution and provides a parsimonious explanation for the relatively high frequency in males of such apparently maladaptive traits as infertility, homosexuality and baldness.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Protein-only inheritance in yeast: something to get [PSI+]-ched about.

Recent work suggests that two unrelated phenotypes, [PSI+] and [URE3], in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are transmitted by non-covalent changes in the physical states of their protein determinants, Sup35p and Ure2p, rather than by changes in the genes that encode these proteins. The mechanism by which alternative protein states are self-propagating is the key to understanding how proteins function as elements of epigenetic inheritance. Here, we focus on recent molecular-genetic analysis of the inheritance of the [PSI+] factor of S. cerevisiae. Insights into this process might be extendable to a group of mammalian diseases (the amyloidoses), which are also believed to be a manifestation of self-perpetuating changes in protein conformation.

Extrachromosomal Inheritance↗

A truncated form of the Pho80 cyclin redirects the Pho85 kinase to disrupt vacuole inheritance in S. cerevisiae.

Partitioning of the vacuole during cell division in Saccharomyces cerevisiae begins during early S phase and ends in late G2 phase before the yeast nucleus migrates into the bud neck. We have isolated and characterized a new mutant, vac5-1, which is defective in vacuole segregation. Cells with the vac5-1 mutation can form large buds without vacuoles. The VAC5 gene was cloned and is identical to PHO80. PHO80 encodes a cyclin which acts in a complex with a cdc-like kinase, PHO85, as a negative regulator of two transcription factors (PHO2 and PHO4) that govern the expression of metabolic phosphatases. The vacuole inheritance defect in vac5-1 cells is dependent on the presence of the Pho85 kinase and its targets Pho4p and Pho2p. As with other alleles of PHO80, phosphatase levels are elevated in vac5-1 mutants. A suppressor, the COOH-terminal half of the Gal11 transcription factor, rescues the vac5-1 phenotype of defective vacuole inheritance without altering the vac5-1 phenotype of elevated phosphatase levels. In addition, neither maximal nor minimal levels of expression of the inducible "PHO" system phosphatases causes a vacuole inheritance defect. Though vac5-1 is recessive, pho80 delta or pho85 delta strains do not show a defect in vacuole inheritance, suggesting that vac5-1 is not a complete loss-of-function allele. Sequence analysis shows that the vac5-1 allele encodes a truncated form of the Pho80 cyclin and overexpression of vac5-1 in pho80 delta cells causes a vacuole inheritance defect. We conclude that the vac5-1 allele directs the Pho85 kinase to regulate, via transcription factors Pho4 and Pho2, genes that affect vacuole inheritance but which are not known to be under normal PHO pathway control.

Alleles↗

Recombination between chloroplast DNAs does not occur in sexual crosses of Oenothera.

Crosses of Oenothera result in the transmission of chloroplasts from both parents to their offspring. In spite of this biparental inheritance, no wild-type recombinants were recovered from crosses between different chloroplast mutants. Since more than 7500 progeny were examined, the results indicate that recombination between the chloroplast DNAs of higher plants must be a very rare event.

Chloroplasts↗

Maternal transmission in Huntington's disease.

The effect of maternal transmission on age at onset of Huntington's disease (HD) was examined in 100 unrelated pedigrees. The age at which abnormal movement disorder first appeared could be estimated in 238 patients. More than twice as many of the late-onset cases (age 50 or later) inherited the HD gene from an affected mother than from an affected father. Affected offspring of late-onset females also had late-onset disease while those of late-onset males had significantly earlier ages of onset. This pattern of maternal inheritance suggests a model where the late-onset form of HD is related to a maternally transmitted factor such as the mitochondrion and its genome.

Adult↗

Cytoplasmic influence on the expression of nuclear genes affecting life span in Drosophila melanogaster.

In earlier studies we have found that the difference between short and long life spans of two inbred strains of Drosophila melanogaster is controlled by nuclear major genes. The present study has revealed a cytoplasmic factor that influences the expression of the nuclear longevity genes. The factor shows a typical maternal inheritance and is considered to be an extranuclear gene, such as mitochondrial DNA (chondriome). This paper marks the discovery of two basic forms of inheritance, nuclear and extra-nuclear, in the genetics of life span of D. melanogaster. These findings suggest that further studies, including genetic engineering, on longevity and aging might enable direct manipulation of these characters.

Animals↗

Partial trisomy 7q and probable partial monosomy of 5p in the son of a mother with a reciprocal translocation between 5p and 7q.

An underweight male newborn revealed a complex pattern of abnormal findings including severe neurologic dysfunction, a catlike cry, defective ossification of the calvarian bones, hypertelorism, downward slanting palpebral fissures, epicanthal folds, a short and flat nose with a flattened bridge, broad thumbs, clenched fingers 3--5 on the right hand, simian creases, a congenital heart defect, internal hydrocephalus, and bilateral hydronephrosis. He died on day 26 of his life. Chromosome examination disclosed a maternally inherited reciprocal translocation between 5p and 7q, resulting most probably in monosomy of 5p15 and trisomy of 7q32 leads to qter (46,XY,der(5), t(5;7)(p15;q32)mat).

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Epigenes: design and construction of new hereditary units.

A plasmid digene construction designed before [Tchuraev, R.N. (1982) J. Gen. Biol. 43, 79-87] has been realised, including feedback by repressing proteins with given trigger regime of gene functioning. Experimental tests of the expected epigene properties of the obtained pECPI recombinant plasmid involving lacI and cI(857) regulatory genes have shown a phenomenon of steady inheritance of two alternative epigenotypes lacI(1)cI(0) and lacI(0)cI(1), as well as an external toggle switch through metabolitic and temperature signals from one inherited functional state of the cyclic digene system into another. Thus, we have constructed a hereditary unit of a specific kind, namely, a two-component stationary epigene with preset properties.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Origin and persistence of the mitochondrial genome.

The mitochondrial genome comprises a circular, histone-free 'chromosome' of 16.6 kb of DNA, present in one or more copies in every mitochondrion. This chromosome has been tightly conserved for more than half a billion years, coding in every multicellular animal so far investigated, both vertebrate and invertebrate: (i) the same 13 protein subunits required for oxidative phosphorylation; (ii) a component of each of the two mitochondrial ribosome subunits; and (iii) the 22 transport RNAs present within the mitochondrion. Exons on the circle are tightly packed, with no spacing introns. Mitochondrial DNA is histone-free, has limited repair ability, and has a relatively high mutation-fixation rate. Inheritance is cytoplasmic and maternal, with epidemiological evidence (namely the familial distribution of polymorphisms) indicating that recombination with mtDNA of paternal origin is exceedingly rare. Thus the maintenance and evolution of mtDNA (its remarkably successful symbiotic persistence with the nuclear genome) has been essentially asexual. The machinery for homologous recombination is present in mitochondria of at least some species, however, and it might be surprising if it did not occur between circles in some circumstances. By bringing together the fields of mitochondrial biochemistry, evolutionary genetics, reproductive physiology, and neuromuscular medicine in focusing on the inheritance of normal and abnormal human mtDNA, we can hope to better understand the forces behind this genome's inheritance and what might be required of ovarian function to satisfy its accurate persistence over millions of years. Clinically we can hope also for a better understanding of ooplasmic factors in human fertility and in the wide manifestations of mitochondrial genomic disease.

Animals↗

Mutation processes at the protein level: is Lamarck back?

The experimental evidence accumulated for the last half of the century clearly suggests that inherited variation is not restricted to the changes in genomic sequences. The prion model, originally based on unusual transmission of certain neurodegenerative diseases in mammals, provides a molecular mechanism for the template-like reproduction of alternative protein conformations. Recent data extend this model to protein-based genetic elements in yeast and other fungi. Reproduction and transmission of yeast protein-based genetic elements is controlled by the "prion replication" machinery of the cell, composed of the protein helpers responsible for the processes of assembly and disassembly of protein structures and multiprotein complexes. Among these, the stress-related chaperones of Hsp100 and Hsp70 groups play an important role. Alterations of levels or activity of these proteins result in "mutator" or "antimutator" affects in regard to protein-based genetic elements. "Protein mutagens" have also been identified that affect formation and/or propagation of the alternative protein conformations. Prion-forming abilities appear to be conserved in evolution, despite the divergence of the corresponding amino acid sequences. Moreover, a wide variety of proteins of different origins appear to possess the ability to form amyloid-like aggregates, that in certain conditions might potentially result in prion-like switches. This suggests a possible mechanism for the inheritance of acquired traits, postulated in the Lamarckian theory of evolution. The prion model also puts in doubt the notion that cloned animals are genetically identical to their genome donors, and suggests that genome sequence would not provide a complete information about the genetic makeup of an organism.

Animals↗

An unusual type of mitochondrial DNA inheritance in the blue mussel Mytilus.

In animals, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) inheritance is predominantly maternal. In a few cases incidental transmission of paternal mtDNA was observed and estimated to account for only 10(-4)-10(-3) of an individual's mtDNA content. In contrast, biparental inheritance is common in mussels of the genus Mytilus. Here we present direct evidence that sex and mtDNA inheritance are coupled in Mytilus. Females inherit mtDNA only from their mother, but they transmit it to both daughters and sons. Males inherit mtDNA from both parents, but they transmit to sons only the mtDNA they inherited from their father. In pair matings, this mtDNA inheritance pattern is associated with a strong sex-ratio bias. These findings establish a newly discovered type of cytoplasmic DNA transmission. We also present evidence that the phenomenon breaks down in interspecific hybrids.

Aging↗

Mitochondrial inheritance in a mitochondrially mediated disease.

Mendelian inheritance involves the transmission to successive generations of DNA contained in genes in the nucleus, but DNA is also contained in mitochondria, where it is believed to be responsible for the encoding of certain mitochondrial enzymes. Since nearly all mitochondrial DNA is maternally transmitted, one might expect a nonmendelian pattern of inheritance in mitochondrial cytopathy, a syndrome in which there are abnormalities in mitochondrial structure and deficiencies in a variety of mitochondrial enzymes. We studied the pedigrees of 6 affected families whose members we had examined personally and of 24 families described in the literature. In 27 families, exclusively maternal transmission occurred; in 3 there was also paternal transmission in one generation. Altogether, 51 mothers but only 3 fathers had transmitted the condition. These results are consistent with mitochondrial transmission of mitochondrial cytopathy; the inheritance and enzyme defects of mitochondrial cytopathy can be considered in the light of recent evidence that subunits of respiratory-enzyme complexes are encoded solely by mitochondrial DNA. The occasional paternal transmission may be explained if certain enzyme subunits that are encoded by nuclear DNA are affected.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗

Mitochondrial diseases: genotype versus phenotype.

Recently, a variety of degenerative diseases have been attributed to mutations in mitochondrial DNA. Even though these mutations are inherited and present throughout the body, they frequently cause late-onset, tissue-specific disease. This may be explained by a combination of the tissue-specific accumulation of somatic mtDNA mutations with age and the variation between tissues in the expression of nuclear genes that encode mitochondrial functions.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗

Classification and genetic features of neonatal haemochromatosis: a study of 27 affected pedigrees and molecular analysis of genes implicated in iron metabolism.

Neonatal haemochromatosis (NH) is a severe and newly recognised syndrome of uncertain aetiology, characterised by congenital cirrhosis or fulminant hepatitis and widespread tissue iron deposition. NH occurs in the context of maternal disease including viral infection, as a complication of metabolic disease in the fetus, and sporadically or recurrently, without overt cause, in sibs. Although an underlying genetic basis for NH has been suspected, no test is available for predictive analysis in at risk pregnancies. As a first step towards an understanding of the putative genetic basis for neonatal haemochromatosis, we have conducted a systematic study of the mode of transmission of this disorder in a total of 40 infants born to 27 families. We have moreover carried out a molecular analysis of candidate genes (beta(2)-microglobulin, HFE, and haem oxygenases 1 and 2) implicated in iron metabolism. No pathogenic mutations in these genes were identified that segregate consistently with the disease phenotype in multiplex pedigrees. However, excluding four pedigrees with clear evidence of maternal infection associated with NH, a pedigree showing transmission of maternal antinuclear factor and ribonucleoprotein antibodies to the affected infants, and two families with possible matrilineal inheritance of disease in maternal half sibs, a large subgroup of the affected pedigrees point to the inheritance of an autosomal recessive trait. This included 14 pedigrees with affected and unaffected infants and a single pedigree where all four affected infants were the sole offspring of consanguineous but otherwise healthy parents. We thus report three distinct patterns of disease transmission in neonatal haemochromatosis. In the differentiation of a large subgroup showing transmission of disease in a manner suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance, we also provide the basis for further genome wide studies to define chromosomal determinants of iron storage disease in the newborn.

Adolescent↗