SKN1, a novel plant defensin-sensitivity gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is implicated in sphingolipid biosynthesis.
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.
Thevissen
Karin
K
Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium. karin.thevissen@agr.kuleuven.ac.be
Idkowiak-Baldys
Jola
J
Im
Yang-Ju
YJ
Takemoto
Jon
J
François
Isabelle E J A
IE
Ferket
Kathelijne K A
KK
Aerts
An M
AM
Meert
Els M K
EM
Winderickx
Joris
J
Roosen
Johnny
J
Cammue
Bruno P A
BP
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
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)