Time course gene expression profiling of yeast spore germination reveals a network of transcription factors orchestrating the global response.
BACKGROUND
Spore germination of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a multi-step developmental path on which dormant spores re-enter the mitotic cell cycle and resume vegetative growth. Upon addition of a fermentable carbon source and nutrients, the outer layers of the protective spore wall are locally degraded, the tightly packed spore gains volume and an elongated shape, and eventually the germinating spore re-enters the cell cycle. The regulatory pathways driving this process are still largely unknown. Here we characterize the global gene expression profiles of germinating spores and identify potential transcriptional regulators of this process with the aim to increase our understanding of the mechanisms that control the transition from cellular dormancy to proliferation.


RESULTS
Employing detailed gene expression time course data we have analysed the reprogramming of dormant spores during the transition to proliferation stimulated by a rich growth medium or pure glucose. Exit from dormancy results in rapid and global changes consisting of different sequential gene expression subprograms. The regulated genes reflect the transition towards glucose metabolism, the resumption of growth and the release of stress, similar to cells exiting a stationary growth phase. High resolution time course analysis during the onset of germination allowed us to identify a transient up-regulation of genes involved in protein folding and transport. We also identified a network of transcription factors that may be regulating the global response. While the expression outputs following stimulation by rich glucose medium or by glucose alone are qualitatively similar, the response to rich medium is stronger. Moreover, spores sense and react to amino acid starvation within the first 30 min after germination initiation, and this response can be linked to specific transcription factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Resumption of growth in germinating spores is characterized by a highly synchronized temporal organisation of up- and down-regulated genes which reflects the metabolic reshaping of the quickening spores.
Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, Gothenburg, S-40530, Sweden.
Cecilia
C
Geijer
Ivan
I
Pirkov
Wanwipa
W
Vongsangnak
Abraham
A
Ericsson
Jens
J
Nielsen
Marcus
M
Krantz
Stefan
S
Hohmann
D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D017510:Protein Folding; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015854:Up-Regulation
D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D005947:Glucose