A two-step method for the introduction of single or multiple defined point mutations into the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The introduction of defined mutations into open reading frames (ORF) or non-translated regions of the genome is important to study of the structure-function relationship of amino acid residues in proteins or that of sequence motifs at the genome level. We describe a simple two-step method for the introduction of defined single or multiple point mutations into the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This method circumvents the need for plasmid-based mutagenesis and thus ensures homogenous expression of the gene of interest within the cell population. It is based on the introduction of a selectable marker downstream of the gene of interest. This marker is then amplified with a gene-specific primer that harbours the desired point mutation, creating a selectable marker-tagged mutant version of the gene of interest. The mutant fragment is then integrated into the genome of a wild-type strain through homologous recombination. Successive rounds of amplification of the mutant loci with primers that introduce additional point mutations upstream of existing mutations will generate multiple defined mutations within a single gene. As a proof of principle, we have employed this method to generate a temperature-sensitive mutant version of the plasma membrane ATPase, pma1-7, which bears two point mutations (Pro434Ala and Gly789Ser). Phenotypic analysis of a pma1-7 haploid strain indicates that this allele has the same characteristics as the original pma1-7 allele. It confers a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype and the newly synthesized Pma1-7 protein is unstable and rapidly degraded.
Toulmay
Alexandre
A
Department of Medicine, Division of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Schneiter
Roger
R
D000483:Alleles; D016681:Genome, Fungal; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed / Q000379:methods*; D017354:Point Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000235:genetics; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C092477:PMA1 protein, S cerevisiae; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases