Changes in a SWI4,6-DNA-binding complex occur at the time of HO gene activation in yeast

Genes Dev. 1991 Nov;5(11):2000-13. doi: 10.1101/gad.5.11.2000.

Abstract

The yeast HO gene is transcribed transiently during G1 as cells undergo START. START-specific HO activation requires two proteins, SWI4 and SWI6, which act via a motif (CACGA4) repeated up to 10 times within the URS2 region of the HO promoter. We identified a DNA-binding activity containing SWI4 and SWI6 that recognizes the CACGA4 sequences within URS2. Two forms of SWI4,6-DNA complexes called L and U can be distinguished by their electrophoretic mobility. L complexes can be detected at all stages of the cell cycle, but U complexes are only detected in cells that have undergone START. The formation of U complexes may be the trigger of HO activation. The SWI6 protein is concentrated in the nucleus throughout G1, but at some point in S or G2 significant amounts accumulate in the cytoplasm. This change in cellular location of the SWI6 protein might contribute to the turnoff of HO transcription after cells have undergone START.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / genetics*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / physiology*
  • Genes, Fungal / genetics
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • SWI4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Protein Kinases
  • HO protein, S cerevisiae
  • SCEI protein, S cerevisiae
  • Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific