MHY1 encodes a C2H2-type zinc finger protein that promotes dimorphic transition in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.
The yeast-to-hypha morphological transition (dimorphism) is typical of many pathogenic fungi. Dimorphism has been attributed to changes in temperature and nutritional status and is believed to constitute a mechanism of response to adverse conditions. We have isolated and characterized a gene, MHY1, whose transcription is dramatically increased during the yeast-to-hypha transition in Yarrowia lipolytica. Deletion of MHY1 is viable and has no effect on mating, but it does result in a complete inability of cells to undergo mycelial growth. MHY1 encodes a C2H2-type zinc finger protein, Mhy1p, which can bind putative cis-acting DNA stress response elements, suggesting that Mhy1p may act as a transcription factor. Interestingly, Mhy1p tagged with a hemagglutinin epitope was concentrated in the nuclei of actively growing cells found at the hyphal tip.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017353:Gene Deletion; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020218:Response Elements / Q000235:genetics; D004718:Saccharomycetales / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013696:Temperature; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D016335:Zinc Fingers