Gametogenesis in yeast is regulated by a transcriptional cascade dependent on Ndt80.
Gametogenesis requires the successful coordination of two key processes, meiotic nuclear division and gamete morphogenesis. A central regulatory step in progression through gametogenesis occurs at the pachytene stage of meiotic prophase. We find that Ndt80 functions at pachytene of yeast gametogenesis (sporulation) to activate transcription of a set of genes required for both meiotic division (e.g., B-type cyclins) and gamete formation (e.g., SPS1). Ectopic synthesis of Ndt80 in vegetative cells induces transcription of these genes, and recombinant Ndt80 protein binds to a conserved sequence in their upstream region. Transcription of NDT80 itself is dependent on Ime1, which activates expression of early sporulation genes. Transcription of the Ndt80-regulated gene CLB1 is mediated by the checkpoint gene RAD17. Thus Ndt80 is a pivotal component of a transcriptional cascade programming yeast gametogenesis and may also be a target of meiotic checkpoint control.
Chu
S
S
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0448, USA.
Herskowitz
I
I
D019926:Cyclin B / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005800:Genes, Fungal / Q000502:physiology; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
D019926:Cyclin B; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C097071:NDT80 protein, S cerevisiae; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors