title: SKN1, a novel plant defensin-sensitivity gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is implicated in sphingolipid biosynthesis.
abstract: The antifungal plant defensin DmAMP1 interacts with the fungal sphingolipid mannosyl diinositolphosphoryl ceramide (M(IP)(2)C) and induces fungal growth inhibition. We have identified SKN1, besides the M(IP)(2)C-biosynthesis gene IPT1, as a novel DmAMP1-sensitivity gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. SKN1 was previously shown to be a KRE6 homologue, which is involved in beta-1,6-glucan biosynthesis. We demonstrate that a Deltaskn1 mutant lacks M(IP)(2)C. Interestingly, overexpression of either IPT1 or SKN1 complemented the skn1 mutation, conferred sensitivity to DmAMP1, and resulted in M(IP)(2)C levels comparable to the wild type. These results show that SKN1, together with IPT1, is involved in sphingolipid biosynthesis in S. cerevisiae.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium. karin.thevissen@agr.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thevissen
authors.forename: Jola
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Idkowiak-Baldys
authors.forename: Yang-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: Isabelle E J A
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: François
authors.forename: Kathelijne K A
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ferket
authors.forename: An M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.forename: Els M K
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Meert
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winderickx
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roosen
authors.forename: Bruno P A
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Cammue
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023082:Defensins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017384:Sequence Deletion / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D023082:Defensins; C099969:Dm-AMP1 protein, Dahlia merckii; D006028:Glycosphingolipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C081932:SKN1 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C068389:mannose-bis(inositolphospho)ceramide; C109311:IPT1 protein, S cerevisiae; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)