title: Spe3, which encodes spermidine synthase, is required for full repression through NRE(DIT) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
abstract: We previously identified a transcriptional regulatory element, which we call NRE(DIT), that is required for repression of the sporulation-specific genes, DIT1 and DIT2, during vegetative growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Repression through this element is dependent on the Ssn6-Tup1 corepressor. In this study, we show that SIN4 contributes to NRE(DIT)-mediated repression, suggesting that changes in chromatin structure are, at least in part, responsible for regulation of DIT gene expression. In a screen for additional genes that function in repression of DIT (FRD genes), we recovered alleles of TUP1, SSN6, SIN4, and ROX3 and identified mutations comprising eight complementation groups of FRD genes. Four of these FRD genes appeared to act specifically in NRE(DIT)mediated repression, and four appeared to be general regulators of gene expression. We cloned the gene complementing the frd3-1 phenotype and found that it was identical to SPE3, which encodes spermidine synthase. Mutant spe3 cells not only failed to support complete repression through NRE(DIT) but also had modest defects in repression of some other genes. Addition of spermidine to the medium partially restored repression to spe3 cells, indicating that spermidine may play a role in vivo as a modulator of gene expression. We suggest various mechanisms by which spermidine could act to repress gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friesen
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tanny
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segall
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D056892:Mediator Complex; D010641:Phenotype; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D011436:Spermidine Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013172:Spores, Fungal; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C094153:AREA protein, Penicillium chrysogenum; D017931:DNA Primers; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D056892:Mediator Complex; C076878:SIN4 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D011436:Spermidine Synthase