Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase plays conserved and distinct roles in the osmotolerant yeast Torulaspora delbrueckii.
Torulaspora delbrueckii has emerged during evolution as one of the most osmotolerant yeasts. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this unusual stress resistance are poorly understood. In this study, we have characterized the functional role of the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in mediating the osmotic stress response, among others, in T. delbrueckii. We show that the T. delbrueckii Hog1p homologue TdHog1p is phosphorylated after cell transfer to NaCl- or sorbitol-containing medium. However, TdHog1p plays a minor role in tolerance to conditions of moderate osmotic stress, a trait related mainly with the osmotic balance. In consonance with this, the absence of TdHog1p produced only a weak defect in the timing of the osmostress-induced glycerol and GPD1 mRNA overaccumulation. Tdhog1Delta mutants also failed to display aberrant morphology changes in response to osmotic stress. Furthermore, our data indicate that the T. delbrueckii HOG pathway has evolved to respond to specific environmental conditions and to play a pivotal role in the stress cross-protection mechanism.
Hernandez-Lopez
María José
MJ
Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, P.O. Box 73, E-46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
Randez-Gil
Francisca
F
Prieto
José Antonio
JA
D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D004718:Saccharomycetales / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases