Yeast adapt to near-freezing temperatures by STRE/Msn2,4-dependent induction of trehalose synthesis and certain molecular chaperones.
Virtually nothing is known about the biochemical adaptations in eukaryotic cells that may enhance survival at low temperatures or upon freezing. Here we demonstrate an adaptive response in yeast that is activated below 10 degrees C and increases tolerance to low temperatures and freezing. This response involves a dramatic accumulation of the chemical chaperone trehalose and induction of trehalose-synthesizing enzymes (Tps1, Tps2) and certain heat shock proteins (Hsp104, Hsp42, Hsp12, Ssa4). mRNAs for these proteins increase dramatically below 10 degrees C and even at 0 degrees C. Their expression requires Msn2,4 transcription factors but also involves marked mRNA stabilization. Upon return to 30 degrees C, TPS1, TPS2, and HSP104 mRNAs, trehalose levels and tolerance to freezing fall dramatically within minutes. Mutants lacking trehalose or Msn2,4 die more rapidly at 0 degrees C and upon freezing. Thus, below 10 degrees C, yeast show an adaptive response that sustains viability at low or freezing temperatures, which are commonly encountered in natural environments and laboratory refrigerators.
Kandror
Olga
O
Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Bretschneider
Nancy
N
Kreydin
Evgeniy
E
Cavalieri
Duccio
D
Goldberg
Alfred L
AL
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D002470:Cell Survival; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005615:Freezing; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015870:Gene Expression; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014199:Trehalose / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C081935:MSN2 protein, S cerevisiae; C081937:MSN4 protein, S cerevisiae; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014199:Trehalose; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C023180:trehalose-6-phosphate synthase