Pap1p-dependent upregulation of thioredoxin 3 and thioredoxin reductase genes from the fission yeast under nitrosative stress

Abstract

The thioredoxin system, consisting of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and NADPH, is involved in the response against a variety of stresses. The TRX3(+) and TrxR(+) genes encode thioredoxin 3 and thioredoxin reductase, respectively, in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe . Their transcriptional regulations were studied using the lacZ fusion genes. Synthesis of β-galactosidase from the TRX3(+)-lacZ fusion gene was markedly enhanced by nitric-oxide-generating sodium nitroprusside in the Pap1p-positive cells but not in the Pap1p-negative cells. Similarly, synthesis of β-galactosidase from the TrxR(+)-lacZ fusion gene was upregulated by sodium nitroprusside in a Pap1p-dependent manner. Synthesis of β-galactosidase from the TRX3(+)-lacZ and TrxR(+)-lacZ fusion genes was also enhanced by S-nitrosoglutathione in the Pap1p-positive cells but not in the Pap1p-negative cells. In brief, the S. pombe genes encoding thioredoxin 3 and thioredoxin reductase are upregulated under nitrosative stress in a Pap1p-dependent manner.