A yeast strain producing lys2 deletions at a high frequency after sporulation

Summary A diploid yeast strain with extensive sequence dissimilarity in homologous regions near the LYS2 locus was sporulated, and spontaneous lys2 and lys5 mutant spores, selected on -amino adipate, were analyzed. As many as 50% of the mutant spores contained a deletion in LYS2. These deletions occurred at a frequency of 5.0 × 10^–7. While deletions of various sizes and endpoints were obtained, all the deletions recovered in this study included the border between homologous and non-homologous sequences located 4 kb upstream of LYS2. Large lys2 deletions that extended into an adjacent CYH2 duplication occurred at a frequency of 2.0 × 10^–7, more than 1,000 times the frequency of the CYH2-LYS2 deletions found in a related haploid strain. This high frequency of CYH2-LYS2 deletions was observed only after sporulation of the diploid strain, and was dependent upon extensive sequence dissimilarity near the LYS2 locus.     

Cloning and characterization of the SKI3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrates allelism to SKI5

Summary We have identified a mutant strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which overproduces killer toxin. This strain contains a single mutation which fails to complement defects in both the SKI3 and SKI5 genes, while a cloned copy of this gene complements both the ski3 and ski5 defects. The level of secreted toxin from a cDNA based plasmid is not increased in a ski3 strain, showing that the overproduction phenotype is dependent upon an increased level of M1 dsRNA.     

Isolation and characterization of a Neurospora glucose-repressible gene

Summary Using differential hybridization, the cDNA copy of a Neurospora gene coding for an abundant glucose-repressible mRNA (grg-l) has been isolated. The cDNA was used to clone the genomic copy, and both were sequenced. The cDNA is nearly full length and contains putative translational start and termination codons. Conceptual translation indicates that grg-1 mRNA could direct the synthesis of a 7,000 molecular weight polypeptide. The genomic clone, contained in an 1,888 by PvuII fragment, encompasses the entire cDNA as well as 838 by of 5 and 369 bp of 3 flanking sequence. Comparison of the cDNA and genomic clones revealed the presence of two short introns in potential protein-coding sequences. grg-1 message levels were found to increase within minutes following the onset of glucose deprivation and rise 50 fold during the first 90 min of derepression.     

Phenotypic identification of amplifications of the ADH4 and CUP1 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Primary gene amplification, i.e., mutation from one gene copy to multiple gene copies per genome, is important in genomic evolution, as a means of producing anti-cancer drug resistance, and is associated with the progression of tumor malignancy. Primary amplification has not been studied in normal eukaryotic cells because amplifications are extremely rare in these cells. A system has been developed to phenotypically identify co-amplifications of the ADH4 and CUP1 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 21 independent spontaneous amplifications have been isolated.     

Construction by one-step gene replacement of Trichoderma reesei strains that produce the glucoamylase P of Hormoconis resinae

Two one-step gene replacement vectors containing either the Hormoconis resinae glucoamylase P (gamP) genomic gene or the corresponding cDNA, each under the control of the promoter of the Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase 1 gene (cbh1), were constructed and use to replace the cbh1 gene in a T. reesei strain. In both vectors the cbh1 promoter is precisely fused to the gamP protein coding region. Both the gamP cDNA and the genomic gene direct the secretion of the active glucoamylase P (GAMP) enzyme from T. reesei, which indicates that the intron sequences in the genomic gamP gene are processed in T. reesei. According to the results, a T. reesei transformant strain, in which the cbh1 gene has been replaced by a single copy of the gamP genomic gene, secretes more active GAMP than does a transformant strain having three copies of the cDNA clone in tandem orientation at the cbh1 locus.     

Detection and delineation of an unusual 17p11.2 deletion by array-CGH and refinement of the Smith–Magenis syndrome minimum deletion to 650 kb

Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome and it is characterized by an interstitial deletion of chromosome 17p11.2. SMS patients have a distinct phenotype which is believed to be caused by haploinsufficiency of one or more genes in the associated deleted region. Five non-deletion patients with classical phenotypic features of SMS have been reported with mutations in the retinoic acid induced 1 (RAI1) gene, located within the SMS critical interval. Happloinsufficiency of the RAI1 gene is likely to be the responsible gene for the majority of the SMS features, but other deleted genes in the SMS region may modify the overall phenotype in the patients with 17p11.2 deletions. SMS is usually diagnosed in the clinical genetic setting by FISH analysis using commercially available probes. We detected a submicroscopic deletion in 17p11.2 using array-CGH with a resolution of approximately 1 Mb in a patient with the SMS phenotype, who was not deleted for the commercially available SMS microdeletion FISH probe. Delineation of the deletion was performed using a 32K tiling BAC-array, containing 32,500 BAC clones. The deletion in this patient was size mapped to 2.7 Mb and covered the RAI1 gene. This case enabled the refinement of the SMS minimum deletion to 650 kb containing eight putative genes and one predicted gene. In addition, it demonstrates the importance to investigate deletion of RAI1 in SMS patients.     

Isolation,sequencing, and characterization of crp-5, a gene encoding a Neurospora ribosomal protein

A Neurospora crassa cytoplasmic ribosomal protein gene, crp-5, has been isolated and characterized. The cDNA was isolated by a differential screening of a cDNA library for glucose-inducible genes. The cDNA was subsequently used to identify and isolate crp-5 genomic sequences. Computer analysis of the DNA sequences showed that they contain an open reading frame which encodes a protein homologous to the rat ribosomal protein S26. The crp-5 mRNA levels are regulated in a carbon-source-dependent manner. The organization of the gene and the region upstream of the coding sequences are discussed.     

DNA repair genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: complementing rad4 and rev2 mutations by plasmids which cannot be propagated in Escherichia coli

Summary The RAD4 gene of yeast required for the incision step of DNA excision repair and the REV2 (= RAD5) gene involved in mutagenic DNA repair could not be isolated from genomic libraries propagated in E. coli regardless of copy number of the shuttle vector in yeast. Transformants with plasmids conferring UV resistance to a rad4-4 or a rev2-1 mutant were only recovered if yeast was transformed directly without previous amplification of the gene bank in E. coli. DNA preparations from these yeast clones yielded no transformants in E. coli but retransformation of yeast was possible. This lead to the isolation of a defective derivative of the rad4 complementing plasmid. The modified plasmid was now capable of transforming E. coli but still interfered significantly with its growth.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Fritz Kaudewitz on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Centromeric DNA of Kluyveromyces lactis

Summary A direct selection method was used to isolate centromeres from a genomic library of the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. The method is based on the lethality at high copy number of the ochre-suppressing tRNA gene SUP11. Five different chromosomal fragments were found that confer mitotic stability to plasmids containing a replication origin of K. lactis (KARS). In addition, KARS plasmids containing these fragments have a copy number or approximately one, and each of the five fragments hybridizes to a different chromosome of K. lactis. From these results we conclude that five of the six centromeres of K. lactis have been isolated. These centromeres do not function in S. cerevisiae.     

Two genes encode 7SL RNAs in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Summary We have identified an abundant cytoplasmic 7S RNA in crude extracts of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. A cDNA probe was prepared from this RNA and used to screen a genomic library. The DNA sequence of a positive clone was determined and the end positions of the 7S RNA gene established by comparison with the sequence of the extremities of 7S RNA. This gene, designated SCR2, encodes a 270-nucleotide RNA that can be folded into a secondary structure similar to that of 7SL RNAs. This RNA is 94.4% homologous to a previously identified 7S RNA from this yeast, but is encoded by a separate gene with highly divergent flanking sequences.     

Either one of the two yeast EF-1α genes is required for cell viability

Summary Two genes,TEF1 andTEF2, encode the protein elongation factor EF-1 in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We have generated yeast haploid strains containing eitherTEF1 orTEF2 interrupted by insertion of a large piece of foreign DNA. Cells which contain either one functional copy of the EF-1 genes are viable. In contrast, attempts to isolate a yeast haploid strain with bothTEF1 andTEF2 inactivated have failed suggesting that the double gene disruption is a lethal event.     

Cryptic 7q21 and 9p23 deletions in a patient with apparently balanced de novo reciprocal translocation t(7;9)(q21;p23) associated with a dystonia-plus syndrome: paternal deletion of the epsilon-sarcoglycan (<Emphasis Type="Italic">SGCE</Emphasis>) gene

We report on a boy with myoclonus-dystonia (M-D), language delay, and malformative anomalies. Genetic investigations allowed the identification of an apparently balanced de novo reciprocal translocation, t(7;9)(q21;p23). Breakpoint-region mapping using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone probes identified microdeletions of 3.7 and 5.2 Mb within 7q21 and 9p23 breakpoint regions, respectively. Genotyping with microsatellite markers showed that deletions originated from paternal alleles. The deleted region on chromosome 7q21 includes a large imprinted gene cluster. SGCE and PEG10 are two maternally imprinted genes. SGCE mutations are implicated in M-D. In our case, M-D is due to deletion of the paternal allele of the SGCE gene. PEG10 is strongly expressed in the placenta and is essential for embryo development. Prenatal growth retardation identified in the patient may be due to deletion of the paternal allele of the PEG10 gene. Other genes in the deleted region on chromosome 7 are not imprinted. Nevertheless, a phenotype can be due to haploinsufficiency of these genes. KRIT1 is implicated in familial forms of cerebral cavernous malformations, and COL1A2 may be implicated in very mild forms of osteogenesis imperfecta. The deleted region on chromosome 9 overlaps with the candidate region for monosomy 9p syndrome. The proband shows dysmorphic features compatible with monosomy 9p syndrome, without mental impairment. These results emphasize that the phenotypic abnormalities of apparently balanced de novo translocations can be due to cryptic deletions and that the precise mapping of these aneusomies may improve clinical management.     

A 8.26Mb deletion in 6q16 and a 4.95Mb deletion in 20p12 including JAG1 and BMP2 in a patient with Alagille syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

We report a child presenting with Alagille and Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndromes. Standard karyotyping showed a de novo 46,XY,t(1;6)(p31;q16) translocation. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis identified a de novo deletion in the 20p12 chromosomal region encompassing JAG1, the major gene responsible for Alagille syndrome. The aberration was further characterized using an Agilent 44K oligonucleotide array, which confirmed the 4.95 Mb 20p12 deletion. An additional 8.26 Mb deletion was identified at the 6q16 translocation breakpoint.To our knowledge, WPW has never been associated with Alagille syndrome. The patient we describe presented with a 6q16 deletion containing 21 genes but no good candidate genes for WPW. The 20p12 deletion included 19 genes among them JAG1 and BMP2. Recently, two unrelated patients with WPW and BMP2 deletions have been reported. Despite a relationship between WPW and JAG1 deletion cannot be excluded, the JAG1 deletion is unlikely responsible for the ventricular preexcitation since WPW has never been associated with Alagille syndrome. Among the other deleted genes in 20p12, BMP2 appears to be a good candidate responsible for the WPW.     

Translocation breakpoint at 7q31 associated with tics: further evidence for IMMP2L as a candidate gene for Tourette syndrome

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a strong genetic basis. We identified a male patient with Tourette syndrome-like tics and an apparently balanced de novo translocation [46,XY,t(2;7)(p24.2;q31)]. Further analysis using array comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) revealed a cryptic deletion at 7q31.1-7q31.2. Breakpoints disrupting this region have been reported in one isolated and one familial case of Tourette syndrome. In our case, IMMP2L, a gene coding for a human homologue of the yeast inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase subunit 2, was disrupted by the breakpoint on 7q31.1, with deletion of exons 1-3 of the gene. The IMMP2L gene has previously been proposed as a candidate gene for Tourette syndrome, and our case provides further evidence of its possible role in the pathogenesis. The deleted region (7q31.1-7q31.2) of 7.2 Mb of genomic DNA also encompasses numerous genes, including FOXP2, associated with verbal dyspraxia, and the CFTR gene.     

Development of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> NF2</Emphasis> gene specific,strictly sequence defined diagnostic microarray for deletion detection

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome caused by the biallelic inactivation of the neurofibromin 2 tumor suppressor gene (NF2). Current molecular diagnostic methods for NF2 involve the detection of point mutations and/or microdeletions across the 100-kb locus from 22q12. Despite the fact that NF2 gene inactivating deletions occur in 25–30% of NF2 patients, the available approaches for high-resolution and high-throughput detection of deletions are underdeveloped. This need for improved methodology for gene copy number analysis is especially apparent when compared to a variety of methods available for accurate detection of point mutations. The microarray-based form of comparative genomic hybridization has been previously applied in the high-resolution analysis of gene copy number variation across large genomic regions. In this study we apply a PCR-based, strictly sequence-defined, repeat-free approach for the preparation of a diagnostic microarray for the detection of disease-causing deletions in the NF2 gene. The methodology is based on the preselection of target DNA by excluding redundant sequence within the NF2 locus using bioinformatics. This approach allows a significant increase in the resolution of deletion detection. The current average resolution of analysis across the NF2 locus is 23 kb. Therefore this NF2 gene-specific microarray is the first high-resolution tool for detection of diagnostically significant gene copy number aberrations. This microarray should now be applied in the analysis of an extensive series of NF2 patients, and hence we would like to call for such samples.Supplementary material is available at . On that page (frame on the left side) a link takes you directly to the supplementary materialAbbreviations ANILFR Average normalized interlocus fluorescence ratio - Array-CGH Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization - CGH Comparative genomic hybridization - NF2 Neurofibromatosis type 2K.K. Mantripragada and P.G. Buckley contributed equally to this work.     

Altered fungal sensitivity to a plant antimicrobial peptide through over-expression of yeast cDNAs

A yeast cDNA expression library was screened to identify genes and cellular processes that influence fungal sensitivity to a plant antimicrobial peptide. A plasmid-based, GAL1 promoter-driven yeast cDNA expression library was introduced into a yeast genotype susceptible to the antimicrobial peptide MiAMP1 purified from Macadamia integrifolia. Following a screen of 20,000 cDNAs, three yeast cDNAs were identified that reproducibly provided transformants with galactose-dependent resistance to MiAMP1. These cDNAs encoded a protein of unknown function, a component (VMA11) of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase and a component (cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIa) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, respectively. To identify genes that increased sensitivity to MiAMP1, the yeast cDNA expression library was introduced into a yeast mutant with increased resistance to MiAMP1. From 11,000 cDNAs screened, two cDNA clones corresponding to a ser/thr kinase and a ser/thr phosphatase reproducibly increased MiAMP1 susceptibility in the mutant in a galactose-dependent manner. Deletion mutants were available for three of the five genes identified but showed no change in their sensitivity to MiAMP1, indicating that these genes could not be detected by screening of yeast deletion mutant libraries. Yeast cDNA expression library screening therefore provides an alternative approach to gene deletion libraries to identify genes that can influence the sensitivity of fungi to plant antimicrobial peptides.     

Conversion of homothallic yeast to heterothallism through HO gene disruption

A simple method was developed for the conversion of homothallic Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains to heterothallism through HO gene disruption. An integrative ho::neo disrupted allele was constructed by cloning a dominant selectable marker, the bacterial neo gene, within the HO gene. Transformation of a homothallic diploid S. cerevisiae strain with plasmid DNA containing the ho::neo allele yielded G418-resistant yeast transformants in which one of the HO alleles was replaced by the disrupted ho::neo allele. Meiotic tetrad analysis of four-spored asci from these G418-resistant transformants gave rise to haploid heterothallic and diploid homothallic tetrad progeny. The presence of the ho::neo and HO alleles in the heterothallic and homothallic progeny was confirmed by Souther-blot analysis.     

Plasmid cloning and expression of the E. coli polA + gene in S. cerevisiae

Summary The E. coli polA ⁺ gene has been subcloned from a specialised transducing phage onto a low copy number plasmid. Plasmid-encoded DNA polymerase I was synthesised at 2 to 3 times the wild-type E. coli level, and was biochemically indistinguishable from chromosomally-encoded protein. It was able to counteract the radio sensitivity of polA1, polAex1, polAex2 and polA12 mutants, but no complementation of polA107 mutants occurred, even though the plasmid polA⁺ gene was expressed. S. cerevisiae ars-1 or 2 replicative sequences were introduced into the polA⁺ plasmid. Transformation of yeast with these constructs increased total DNA polymerase levels 2–20 times, depending upon assay conditions. The additional activity was discriminated from yeast DNA polymerases by its ability to use low concentrations of substrate, by its resistance to chemical inhibition, and by co-electrophoresis with pure DNA polymerase I and its proteolytic fragments. The polA⁺ gene was expressed in yeast without the aid of yeast promotor sequences. However, deletion of cloned DNA more than 99 base pairs in front of the structural gene prevented expression in yeast but not in E. coli, indicating that the two organisms use different sequences for expression of the plasmid polA⁺ gene.     

Choice of an adequate promoter for efficient complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a case study

Conservation of the function of open reading frames recently identified in fungal genome projects can be assessed by complementation of deletion mutants of putative Saccharomyces cerevisiae orthologs. A parallel complementation assay expressing the homologous wild type S. cerevisiae gene is generally performed as a positive control. However, we and others have found that failure of complementation can occur in this case. We investigated the specific cases of S. cerevisiae TBF1 and TIM54 essential genes. Heterologous complementation with Candida glabrata TBF1 or TIM54 gene was successful using the constitutive promoters TDH3 and TEF. In contrast, homologous complementation with S. cerevisiae TBF1 or TIM54 genes failed using these promoters, and was successful only using the natural promoters of these genes. The reduced growth rate of S. cerevisiae complemented with C. glabrata TBF1 or TIM54 suggested a diminished functionality of the heterologous proteins compared to the homologous proteins. The requirement of the homologous gene for the natural promoter was alleviated for TBF1 when complementation was assayed in the absence of sporulation and germination, and for TIM54 when two regions of the protein presumably responsible for a unique translocation pathway of the TIM54 protein into the mitochondrial membrane were deleted. Our results demonstrate that the use of different promoters may prove necessary to obtain successful complementation, with use of the natural promoter being the best approach for homologous complementation.