Cloning and characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae LYS7 gene: evidence for function outside of lysine biosynthesis

• Published in: Gene 1995-08, Vol.162 (1), p.87-92
• Main Authors: Horecka, Joe, Kinsey, Philip T., Sprague, George F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: amino acid metabolism; Amino Acid Sequence; amino acid sequences; Base Sequence; Blotting, Northern; cloning; Cloning, Molecular; deletions; Fungal Proteins - genetics; genbank/u17378; Gene Deletion; gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Genes, Fungal; lysine; Lysine - biosynthesis; Molecular Chaperones; Molecular Sequence Data; mutagenesis; mutants; nucleotide sequences; nucleotide sequencing; null mutant; open reading frames; pH sensitivity; Phenotype; pleiotropy; proteins; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; Sequence Analysis, DNA; structural genes; Superoxide Dismutase; temperature sensitivity; transcription (genetics); Transcription, Genetic; Yeast
• ISSN: 0378-1119; 1879-0038
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1119(95)00325-Z

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae LYS7 gene has been cloned based on its genetic map position and complementation of a lys7 mutant. The 1453-bp sequence contains an open reading frame (ORF) that predicts a unique 249 amino acid (aa) protein. A Northern blot experiment demonstrated that LYS7 transcription was not regulated by lysine-specific or general aa control mechanisms. To investigate the effects of total loss of LYS7 function, we created a complete deletion of the gene and introduced this allele into wild-type yeast. The lys7Δ mutant requires lysine and simultaneously displays an array of phenotypes that include pH and temperature sensitivity. The pleiotropic phenotypes of the lys7Δ mutant and the constitutive transcription pattern are at odds with the hypothesis that Lys7p functions solely in the lysine biosynthesis pathway.