RRC ID 12571
Author Morita T, Yamada T, Yamada S, Matsumoto K, Ohta K.
Title Fission yeast ATF/CREB family protein Atf21 plays important roles in production of normal spores.
Journal Genes Cells
Abstract Activating transcription factor/cAMP response element binding protein (ATF/CREB) family transcription factors play central roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis. They are activated in response to environmental stimuli, bind to CRE sequences in the promoters of stress-response genes and regulate transcription. Although ATF/CREB proteins are widely conserved among most eukaryotes, their characteristics are highly diverse. Here, we investigated the functions of a fission yeast ATF/CREB protein Atf21 to find out its unique properties. We show that Atf21 is dispensable for the adaptive response to several stresses such as nitrogen starvation and for meiotic events including nuclear divisions. However, spores derived from atf21Δ mutants are not as mature as wild-type ones and are unable to form colonies under nutrition-rich conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Atf21 protein, which is scarce in early meiosis, gradually accumulates as meiosis proceeds; it reaches maximum levels approximately 8 h after nitrogen starvation and is present during germination. These results suggest that Atf21 is expressed and functions long after nitrogen starvation. Given that other well-characterized fission yeast ATF/CREB proteins Atf1 and Pcr1 accumulate and function promptly upon exposure to environmental stresses, we propose that Atf21 is a distinct member of the ATF/CREB family in fission yeast.
Volume 16(2)
Pages 217-30
Published 2011-2-1
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2010.01480.x
PMID 21199192
MeSH Activating Transcription Factors / genetics Activating Transcription Factors / physiology* Meiosis / genetics Mutation Nitrogen / deficiency* Schizosaccharomyces / genetics Schizosaccharomyces / physiology* Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / genetics Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / physiology* Spores, Fungal / genetics Spores, Fungal / physiology* Stress, Physiological
IF 1.655
Times Cited 6
WOS Category GENETICS & HEREDITY CELL BIOLOGY
Resource
Yeast