Nutrient Control of Yeast Gametogenesis Is Mediated by TORC1, PKA and Energy Availability.
Cell fate choices are tightly controlled by the interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic signals, and gene regulatory networks. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the decision to enter into gametogenesis or sporulation is dictated by mating type and nutrient availability. These signals regulate the expression of the master regulator of gametogenesis, IME1. Here we describe how nutrients control IME1 expression. We find that protein kinase A (PKA) and target of rapamycin complex I (TORC1) signalling mediate nutrient regulation of IME1 expression. Inhibiting both pathways is sufficient to induce IME1 expression and complete sporulation in nutrient-rich conditions. Our ability to induce sporulation under nutrient rich conditions allowed us to show that respiration and fermentation are interchangeable energy sources for IME1 transcription. Furthermore, we find that TORC1 can both promote and inhibit gametogenesis. Down-regulation of TORC1 is required to activate IME1. However, complete inactivation of TORC1 inhibits IME1 induction, indicating that an intermediate level of TORC1 signalling is required for entry into sporulation. Finally, we show that the transcriptional repressor Tup1 binds and represses the IME1 promoter when nutrients are ample, but is released from the IME1 promoter when both PKA and TORC1 are inhibited. Collectively our data demonstrate that nutrient control of entry into sporulation is mediated by a combination of energy availability, TORC1 and PKA activities that converge on the IME1 promoter.
David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Hilla
H
Weidberg
Cell Fate and Gene Regulation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
Fabien
F
Moretto
Cell Fate and Gene Regulation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
Gianpiero
G
Spedale
David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Angelika
A
Amon
Cell Fate and Gene Regulation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
Folkert J
FJ
van Werven
D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C080326:IME1 protein, S cerevisiae; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C561842:TORC1 protein complex, S cerevisiae; C066502:TUP1 protein, S cerevisiae; D014157:Transcription Factors; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; C530964:SCH9 protein, S cerevisiae; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases