title: The Wsc1p cell wall signaling protein controls biofilm (Mat) formation independently of Flo11p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
abstract: Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains of the ∑1278b background generate biofilms, referred to as mats, on low-density agar (0.3%) plates made with rich media (YPD). Mat formation involves adhesion of yeast cells to the surface of the agar substrate and each other as the biofilm matures, resulting in elaborate water channels that create filigreed patterns of cells. The cell wall adhesion protein Flo11p is required for mat formation; however, genetic data indicate that other unknown effectors are also required. For example, mutations in vacuolar protein sorting genes that affect the multivesicular body pathway, such as vps27Δ, cause mat formation defects independently of Flo11p, presumably by affecting an unidentified signaling pathway. A cell wall signaling protein, Wsc1p, found at the plasma membrane is affected for localization and function by vps27Δ. We found that a wsc1 mutation disrupted mat formation in a Flo11p-independent manner. Wsc1p appears to impact mat formation through the Rom2p-Rho1p signaling module, by which Wsc1p also regulates the cell wall. The Bck1p, Mkk1/Mkk2, Mpk1p MAP kinase signaling cascade is known to regulate the cell wall downstream of Wsc1p-Rom2p-Rho1p but, surprisingly, these kinases do not affect mat formation. In contrast, Wsc1p may impact mat formation by affecting Skn7p instead. Skn7p can also receive signaling inputs from the Sln1p histidine kinase; however, mutational analysis of specific histidine kinase receiver residues in Skn7p indicate that Sln1p does not play an important role in mat formation, suggesting that Skn7p primarily acts downstream of Wsc1p to regulate mat formation.
authors: Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996.
authors: Neha
authors: N
authors: Sarode
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Davis
authors: Robert N
authors: RN
authors: Tams
authors: Todd B
authors: TB
authors: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056827:Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D056827:Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport; C110690:FLO11 protein, S cerevisiae; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C490929:ROM2 protein, S cerevisiae; C083962:SKN7 protein, S cerevisiae; C119383:SLG1 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C119627:VPS27 protein, S cerevisiae; C051302:RHO1 protein, S cerevisiae; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: Flo11; Skn7; Wsc1p; biofilm; yeast