Dissecting the regulation of yeast genes by the osmotin receptor

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Sep 19;374(2):210-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.07.002. Epub 2008 Jul 14.

Abstract

The Izh2p protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a receptor for the plant antifungal protein, osmotin. Since Izh2p is conserved in fungi, understanding its biochemical function could inspire novel strategies for the prevention of fungal growth. However, it has been difficult to determine the exact role of Izh2p because it has pleiotropic effects on cellular biochemistry. Herein, we demonstrate that Izh2p negatively regulates functionally divergent genes through a CCCTC promoter motif. Moreover, we show that Izh2p-dependent promoters containing this motif are regulated by the Nrg1p/Nrg2p and Msn2p/Msn4p transcription factors. The fact that Izh2p can regulate gene expression through this widely dispersed element presents a reasonable explanation of its pleiotropy. The involvement of Nrg1p/Nrgp2 in Izh2p-dependent gene regulation also suggests a role for this receptor in regulating fungal differentiation in response to stimuli produced by plants.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cation Transport Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Response Elements*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • IZH2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • MSN2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • MSN4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NRG1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nrg2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Plant Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • ZRT1 protein, S cerevisiae