Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
The dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is used as a model to study fungal differentiation because it grows as yeast-like cells or forms hyphal cells in response to changes in environmental conditions. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a gene, ZNC1, involved in the dimorphic transition in Y. lipolytica. The ZNC1 gene encodes a 782 amino acid protein that contains a Zn(II)2C6 fungal-type zinc finger DNA-binding domain and a leucine zipper domain. ZNC1 transcription is elevated during yeast growth and decreases during the formation of mycelium. Cells in which ZNC1 has been deleted show increased hyphal cell formation. Znc1p-GFP localizes to the nucleus, but mutations within the leucine zipper domain of Znc1p, and to a lesser extent within the Zn(II)2C6 domain, result in a mislocalization of Znc1p to the cytoplasm. Microarrays comparing gene expression between znc1::URA3 and wild-type cells during both exponential growth and the induction of the yeast-to-hypha transition revealed 1,214 genes whose expression was changed by 2-fold or more under at least one of the conditions analyzed. Our results suggest that Znc1p acts as a transcription factor repressing hyphal cell formation and functions as part of a complex network regulating mycelial growth in Y. lipolytica.
Highlights
Fungi are ubiquitous organisms that survive and adapt to changing environmental conditions by rapidly initiating specific physiological responses [1]
Our results suggest that Znc1p is a transcription factor that functions as a negative regulator of Y. lipolytica filamentation
Further experiments revealed that the CHY33188 strain was able to grow only as the yeast form in both rich medium and minimal medium supplemented with the hyphal cell inducer N-acetylglucosamine
Summary
Fungi are ubiquitous organisms that survive and adapt to changing environmental conditions by rapidly initiating specific physiological responses [1]. The ability of some fungi to grow as yeast-like forms or as hyphal cells, depending on the environmental conditions, is called dimorphism. Among the dimorphic fungi are plant pathogens such as Ustilago maydis and Ceratocistis ulmi, saprotrophs such as Yarrowia lipolytica, and human pathogens such as Candida albicans and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Fungal dimorphism is a complex phenomenon involving extensive modification of the cellular machinery in response to environmental signals [2]. Dimorphism has been studied in C. albicans [3], U. maydis [4], P. brasiliensis [5], and Saccharomyces cerevisiae [6], among others. While some aspects of the dimorphic transition are mechanistically similar in these organisms, there are important differences that warrant the study of a variety of different dimorphic species to understand the complexity of the dimorphic transition [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
