CLN2 Expression Research Articles

Overexpression of SIS2, which contains an extremely acidic region, increases the expression of SWI4, CLN1 and CLN2 in sit4 mutants.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SIS2 gene was identified by its ability, when present on a high copy number plasmid, to increase dramatically the growth rate of sit4 mutants. SIT4 encodes a type 2A-related protein phosphatase that is required in late G1 for normal G1 cyclin expression and for bud initiation. Overexpression of SIS2, which contains an extremely acidic carboxyl terminal region, stimulated the rate of CLN1, CLN2, SWI4 and CLB5 expression in sit4 mutants. Also, overexpression of SIS2 in a CLN1 cln2 cln3 strain stimulated the growth rate and the rate of CLN1 and CLB5 RNA accumulation during late G1. The SIS2 protein fractionated with nuclei and was released from the nuclear fraction by treatment with either DNase I or micrococcal nuclease, but not by RNase A. This result, combined with the finding that overexpression of SIS2 is extremely to a strain containing lower than normal levels of histones H2A and H2B, suggests that SIS2 might function to stimulate transcription via an interaction with chromatin.

Three independent forms of regulation affect expression of HO, CLN1 and CLN2 during the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The G1 cyclins (CLNs) bind to and activate the CDC28 kinase during the G1 to S transition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two G1 cyclins are regulated at the RNA level so that their RNAs peak at the G1/S boundary. In this report we show that the cell cycle regulation of CLN1 and CLN2 is partially determined by the restricted expression of SW14, a known trans-activator of SCB elements. When SWI4 is constitutively expressed or deleted, cell cycle regulation of CLN1/2 is reduced but not eliminated. In the absence of SwI6, another known regulator of both SCB and MCB elements, cell cycle regulation of the CLNs is also reduced, and the Start-dependence of HO transcription is eliminated. This indicates that SwI6 also plays an important role in the normal cell cycle regulation of all three promoters. When both SwI6 activity and the transcriptional regulation of SW14 are eliminated, cell cycle regulation is further reduced, indicating that these are two independent pathways of regulation. However, a twofold fluctuation in transcript levels still persists under these conditions. This reveals a third source of cell cycle control, which could affect SwI4 activity post-transcriptionally, or reflect the existence of another unidentified regulator of these promoters.

Differential effects of Cdc68 on cell cycle-regulated promoters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Swi4 and Swi6 form a complex which is required for Start-dependent activation of HO and for high-level expression of G1 cyclin genes CLN1 and CLN2. To identify other regulators of this pathway, we screened for dominant, recessive, conditional, and allele-specific suppressors of swi4 mutants. We isolated 16 recessive suppressors that define three genes, SSF1, SSF5, and SSF9 (suppressor of swi four). Mutations in all three genes bypass the requirement for both Swi4 and Swi6 for HO transcription and activate transcription from reporter genes lacking upstream activating sequences (UASs). SSF5 is allelic with SIN4 (TSF3), a gene implicated in global repression of transcription and chromatin structure, and SSF9 is likely to be a new global repressor of transcription. SSF1 is allelic with CDC68 (SPT16). cdc68 mutations have been shown to increase expression from defective promoters, while preventing transcription from other intact promoters, including CLN1 and CLN2. We find that CDC68 is a required activator of both SWI4 and SWI6, suggesting that CDC68's role at the CLN promoters may be indirect. The target of CDC68 within the SWI4 promoter is complex in that known activating elements (MluI cell cycle boxes) in the SWI4 promoter are required for CDC68 dependence but only within the context of the full-length promoter. This result suggests that there may be both a chromatin structure and a UAS-specific component to Cdc68 function at SWI4. We suggest that Cdc68 functions both in the assembly of repressive complexes that form on many intact promoters in vivo and in the relief of this repression during gene activation.

Differential effects of Cdc68 on cell cycle-regulated promoters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Swi4 and Swi6 form a complex which is required for Start-dependent activation of HO and for high-level expression of G1 cyclin genes CLN1 and CLN2. To identify other regulators of this pathway, we screened for dominant, recessive, conditional, and allele-specific suppressors of swi4 mutants. We isolated 16 recessive suppressors that define three genes, SSF1, SSF5, and SSF9 (suppressor of swi four). Mutations in all three genes bypass the requirement for both Swi4 and Swi6 for HO transcription and activate transcription from reporter genes lacking upstream activating sequences (UASs). SSF5 is allelic with SIN4 (TSF3), a gene implicated in global repression of transcription and chromatin structure, and SSF9 is likely to be a new global repressor of transcription. SSF1 is allelic with CDC68 (SPT16). cdc68 mutations have been shown to increase expression from defective promoters, while preventing transcription from other intact promoters, including CLN1 and CLN2. We find that CDC68 is a required activator of both SWI4 and SWI6, suggesting that CDC68's role at the CLN promoters may be indirect. The target of CDC68 within the SWI4 promoter is complex in that known activating elements (MluI cell cycle boxes) in the SWI4 promoter are required for CDC68 dependence but only within the context of the full-length promoter. This result suggests that there may be both a chromatin structure and a UAS-specific component to Cdc68 function at SWI4. We suggest that Cdc68 functions both in the assembly of repressive complexes that form on many intact promoters in vivo and in the relief of this repression during gene activation.

Inhibition of G1 cyclin activity by the Ras/cAMP pathway in yeast.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commitment to cell division (Start) requires growth to a critical cell size. The G1 cyclins Cln1, Cln2 and Cln3 activate the Cdc28 protein kinase and are rate-limiting activators of Start. When glucose is added to cells growing in a poor carbon source, the critical cell size required for Start is reset from a small to a large size. In yeast, glucose acts through Ras proteins to stimulate adenylyl cyclase, activating the three cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases Tpk1, Tpk2 and Tpk3 (refs 8, 9). We find that stimulation of the Ras/cAMP pathway represses expression of CLN1, CLN2 and co-regulated genes, inhibiting Start. This helps explain the increase in critical size when cells are shifted from poor to rich medium. This connection between the molecules controlling growth (Ras/cAMP) and those controlling division (cyclins) helps explain how division is co-ordinated with growth.

Role of Swi4 in cell cycle regulation of CLN2 expression.

Expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CLN1 and CLN2 genes is cell cycle regulated, and the genes may be controlled by positive feedback. It has been proposed that positive feedback operates via Cln/Cdc28 activation of the Swi4/Swi6 transcription factor, leading to CLN1 and CLN2 transcription due to Swi4 binding to specific sites (SCBs) in the CLN1 and CLN2 promoters. To test this proposal, we have examined the effects of deletion either of the potential SCBs in the CLN2 promoter or of the SWI4 gene on CLN2 transcriptional control. Deletion of a restriction fragment containing the identified SCBs from the promoter does not prevent cell cycle regulation of CLN2 expression, although expression is lowered at all cell cycle positions. A promoter containing a 5.5-kb plasmid insertion or an independent 2.5-kb insertion at the point of deletion of the SCB-containing restriction fragment also exhibits cell cycle regulation, so involvement of unidentified upstream SCBs is unlikely. Neither Swi4 nor the related Mbp1 transcription factor is required for cell cycle regulation of the intact CLN2 promoter. In contrast, Swi4 (but not Mbp1) is required for correct cell cycle regulation of the insertion/deletion promoter lacking SCB sites. We have extended previous genetic evidence for involvement of Swi4 in some aspect of CLN2 function: a mutant hunt for CLN2 positive regulatory factors yielded only swi4 mutations at saturation. Swi4 may bind to nonconsensus sequences in the CLN2 promoter (possibly in addition to consensus sites), or it may act indirectly to regulate CLN2 expression.

Role of Swi4 in Cell Cycle Regulation of CLN2 Expression

Expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CLN1 and CLN2 genes is cell cycle regulated, and the genes may be controlled by positive feedback. It has been proposed that positive feedback operates via Cln/Cdc28 activation of the Swi4/Swi6 transcription factor, leading to CLN1 and CLN2 transcription due to Swi4 binding to specific sites (SCBs) in the CLN1 and CLN2 promoters. To test this proposal, we have examined the effects of deletion either of the potential SCBs in the CLN2 promoter or of the SWI4 gene on CLN2 transcriptional control. Deletion of a restriction fragment containing the identified SCBs from the promoter does not prevent cell cycle regulation of CLN2 expression, although expression is lowered at all cell cycle positions. A promoter containing a 5.5-kb plasmid insertion or an independent 2.5-kb insertion at the point of deletion of the SCB-containing restriction fragment also exhibits cell cycle regulation, so involvement of unidentified upstream SCBs is unlikely. Neither Swi4 nor the related Mbp1 transcription factor is required for cell cycle regulation of the intact CLN2 promoter. In contrast, Swi4 (but not Mbp1) is required for correct cell cycle regulation of the insertion/deletion promoter lacking SCB sites. We have extended previous genetic evidence for involvement of Swi4 in some aspect of CLN2 function: a mutant hunt for CLN2 positive regulatory factors yielded only swi4 mutations at saturation. Swi4 may bind to nonconsensus sequences in the CLN2 promoter (possibly in addition to consensus sites), or it may act indirectly to regulate CLN2 expression.

Cell Cycle-Dependent Transcription of CLN2 Is Conferred by Multiple Distinct cis-Acting Regulatory Elements

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3 genes encode functionally redundant G1 cyclins required for cell cycle initiation. CLN1 and CLN2 mRNAs accumulate periodically throughout the cell cycle, peaking in late G1. We show that cell cycle-dependent fluctuation in CLN2 mRNA is regulated at the level of transcriptional initiation. Mutational analysis of the CLN2 promoter revealed that the major cell cycle-dependent upstream activating sequence (UAS) resides within a 100-bp fragment. This UAS contains three putative SWI4-dependent cell cycle boxes (SCBs) and two putative MluI cell cycle boxes (MCBs). Mutational inactivation of these elements substantially decreased CLN2 promoter activity but failed to eliminate periodic transcription. Similarly, inactivation of SWI4 decreased CLN2 transcription without affecting its periodicity. We have identified a second UAS in the CLN2 upstream region that can promote cell cycle-dependent transcription with kinetics similar to that of the intact CLN2 promoter. Unlike the major CLN2 UAS, this newly identified UAS promotes transcription in cells arrested in G1 by inactivation of cdc28. This novel UAS is both necessary and sufficient for regulated transcription driven by a CLN2 promoter lacking functional SCBs and MCBs. Although this UAS itself contains no SCBs or MCBs, its activity is dependent upon SWI4 function. The characteristics of this novel UAS suggest that it might have a role in initiating CLN2 expression early in G1 to activate the positive feedback loop that drives maximal Cln accumulation.

Cell cycle-dependent transcription of CLN2 is conferred by multiple distinct cis-acting regulatory elements.

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3 genes encode functionally redundant G1 cyclins required for cell cycle initiation. CLN1 and CLN2 mRNAs accumulate periodically throughout the cell cycle, peaking in late G1. We show that cell cycle-dependent fluctuation in CLN2 mRNA is regulated at the level of transcriptional initiation. Mutational analysis of the CLN2 promoter revealed that the major cell cycle-dependent upstream activating sequence (UAS) resides within a 100-bp fragment. This UAS contains three putative SWI4-dependent cell cycle boxes (SCBs) and two putative MluI cell cycle boxes (MCBs). Mutational inactivation of these elements substantially decreased CLN2 promoter activity but failed to eliminate periodic transcription. Similarly, inactivation of SWI4 decreased CLN2 transcription without affecting its periodicity. We have identified a second UAS in the CLN2 upstream region that can promote cell cycle-dependent transcription with kinetics similar to that of the intact CLN2 promoter. Unlike the major CLN2 UAS, this newly identified UAS promotes transcription in cells arrested in G1 by inactivation of cdc28. This novel UAS is both necessary and sufficient for regulated transcription driven by a CLN2 promoter lacking functional SCBs and MCBs. Although this UAS itself contains no SCBs or MCBs, its activity is dependent upon SWI4 function. The characteristics of this novel UAS suggest that it might have a role in initiating CLN2 expression early in G1 to activate the positive feedback loop that drives maximal Cln accumulation.

Genes that can bypass the CLN requirement for Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle START.

Cell cycle START in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires at least one of the three CLN genes (CLN1, CLN2, or CLN3). A total of 12 mutations bypassing this requirement were found to be dominant mutations in a single gene that we named BYC1 (for bypass of CLN requirement). We also isolated a plasmid that had cln bypass activity at a low copy number; the gene responsible was distinct from BYC1 and was identical to the recently described BCK2 gene. Strains carrying bck2::ARG4 disruption alleles were fully viable, but bck2::ARG4 completely suppressed the cln bypass activity of BYC1. swi4 and swi6 deletion alleles also efficiently suppressed BYC1 cln bypass activity; Swi4 and Swi6 are components of a transcription factor previously implicated in control of CLN1 and CLN2 expression. bck2::ARG4 was synthetically lethal with cln3 deletion, suggesting that CLN1 and CLN2 cannot function in the simultaneous absence of BCK2 and CLN3; this observation correlates with low expression of CLN1 and CLN2 in bck2 strains deprived of CLN3 function. Thus, factors implicated in CLN1 and CLN2 expression and/or function are also required for BYC1 function in the absence of all three CLN genes; this may suggest the involvement of other targets of Swi4, Swi6, and Bck2 in START.

Genes that can bypass the CLN requirement for Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle START.

Cell cycle START in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires at least one of the three CLN genes (CLN1, CLN2, or CLN3). A total of 12 mutations bypassing this requirement were found to be dominant mutations in a single gene that we named BYC1 (for bypass of CLN requirement). We also isolated a plasmid that had cln bypass activity at a low copy number; the gene responsible was distinct from BYC1 and was identical to the recently described BCK2 gene. Strains carrying bck2::ARG4 disruption alleles were fully viable, but bck2::ARG4 completely suppressed the cln bypass activity of BYC1. swi4 and swi6 deletion alleles also efficiently suppressed BYC1 cln bypass activity; Swi4 and Swi6 are components of a transcription factor previously implicated in control of CLN1 and CLN2 expression. bck2::ARG4 was synthetically lethal with cln3 deletion, suggesting that CLN1 and CLN2 cannot function in the simultaneous absence of BCK2 and CLN3; this observation correlates with low expression of CLN1 and CLN2 in bck2 strains deprived of CLN3 function. Thus, factors implicated in CLN1 and CLN2 expression and/or function are also required for BYC1 function in the absence of all three CLN genes; this may suggest the involvement of other targets of Swi4, Swi6, and Bck2 in START.

Genetic analysis of Cln/Cdc28 regulation of cell morphogenesis in budding yeast.

The CLN1, CLN2 and CLN3 gene family of G1-acting cyclin homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is functionally redundant: any one of the three Cln proteins is sufficient for activation of Cdc28p protein kinase activity for cell cycle START. The START event leads to multiple processes (including DNA replication and bud emergence); how Cln/Cdc28 activity activates these processes remains unclear. CLN3 is substantially different in structure and regulation from CLN1 and CLN2, so its functional redundancy with CLN1 and CLN2 is also poorly understood. We have isolated mutations that alter this redundancy, making CLN3 insufficient for cell viability in the absence of CLN1 and CLN2 expression. Mutations causing phenotypes specific for the cell division cycle were analyzed in detail. Mutations in one gene result in complete failure of bud formation, leading to depolarized cell growth. This gene was identified as BUD2, previously described as a non-essential gene required for proper bud site selection but not required for budding and viability. Bud2p is probably the GTPase-activating protein for Rsr1p/Bud1p [Park, H., Chant, I. and Herskowitz, I. (1993) Nature, 365, 269-274]; we find that Rsr1p is required for the bud2 lethal phenotype. Mutations in two other genes (ERC10 and ERC19) result in a different morphogenetic defect: failure of cytokinesis resulting in the formation of long multinucleate tubes. These results suggest direct regulation of diverse aspects of bud morphogenesis by Cln/Cdc28p activity.

Connections between the Ras-cyclic AMP pathway and G1 cyclin expression in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have identified two processes in the G1 phase of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle that are required before nutritionally arrested cells are able to return to proliferative growth. The first process requires protein synthesis and is associated with increased expression of the G1 cyclin gene CLN3. This process requires nutrients but is independent of Ras and cyclic AMP (cAMP). The second process requires cAMP. This second process is rapid, is independent of protein synthesis, and produces a rapid induction of START-specific transcripts, including CLN1 and CLN2. The ability of a nutritionally arrested cell to respond to cAMP is dependent on completion of the first process, and this is delayed in cells carrying a CLN3 deletion. Mating pheromone blocks the cAMP response but does not alter the process upstream of Ras-cAMP. These results suggest a model linking the Ras-cAMP pathway with regulation of G1 cyclin expression.

Connections between the Ras-cyclic AMP pathway and G1 cyclin expression in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have identified two processes in the G1 phase of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle that are required before nutritionally arrested cells are able to return to proliferative growth. The first process requires protein synthesis and is associated with increased expression of the G1 cyclin gene CLN3. This process requires nutrients but is independent of Ras and cyclic AMP (cAMP). The second process requires cAMP. This second process is rapid, is independent of protein synthesis, and produces a rapid induction of START-specific transcripts, including CLN1 and CLN2. The ability of a nutritionally arrested cell to respond to cAMP is dependent on completion of the first process, and this is delayed in cells carrying a CLN3 deletion. Mating pheromone blocks the cAMP response but does not alter the process upstream of Ras-cAMP. These results suggest a model linking the Ras-cAMP pathway with regulation of G1 cyclin expression.

Heat shock-mediated cell cycle blockage and G1 cyclin expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

For cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, heat shock causes a transient inhibition of the cell cycle-regulatory step START. We have determined that this heat-induced START inhibition is accompanied by decreased CLN1 and CLN2 transcript abundance and by possible posttranscriptional changes to CLN3 (WHI1/DAF1) cyclin activity. Persistent CLN2 expression from a heterologous promoter or the CLN2-1 or CLN3-1 alleles that are thought to encode cyclin proteins with increased stability eliminated heat-induced START inhibition but did not affect other aspects of the heat shock response. Heat-induced START inhibition was shown to be independent of functions that regulate cyclin activity under other conditions and of transcriptional regulation of SWI4, an activator of cyclin transcription. Cells lacking Bcy1 function and thus without cyclic AMP control of A kinase activity were inhibited for START by heat shock as long as A kinase activity was attenuated by mutation. We suggest that heat shock mediates START blockage through effects on the G1 cyclins.

Heat shock-mediated cell cycle blockage and G1 cyclin expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

For cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, heat shock causes a transient inhibition of the cell cycle-regulatory step START. We have determined that this heat-induced START inhibition is accompanied by decreased CLN1 and CLN2 transcript abundance and by possible posttranscriptional changes to CLN3 (WHI1/DAF1) cyclin activity. Persistent CLN2 expression from a heterologous promoter or the CLN2-1 or CLN3-1 alleles that are thought to encode cyclin proteins with increased stability eliminated heat-induced START inhibition but did not affect other aspects of the heat shock response. Heat-induced START inhibition was shown to be independent of functions that regulate cyclin activity under other conditions and of transcriptional regulation of SWI4, an activator of cyclin transcription. Cells lacking Bcy1 function and thus without cyclic AMP control of A kinase activity were inhibited for START by heat shock as long as A kinase activity was attenuated by mutation. We suggest that heat shock mediates START blockage through effects on the G1 cyclins.

FAR1 is required for posttranscriptional regulation of CLN2 gene expression in response to mating pheromone.

Yeast cells arrest during the G1 interval of the cell cycle in response to peptide mating pheromones. The FAR1 gene is required for cell cycle arrest but not for a number of other aspects of the pheromone response. Genetic evidence suggests that FAR1 is required specifically for inactivation of the G1 cyclin CLN2. From these observations, the FAR1 gene has been proposed to encode an element of the interface between the mating pheromone signal transduction pathway and the cell cycle regulatory apparatus. We show here that FAR1 is necessary for the decrease in CLN1 and CLN2 transcript accumulation observed in response to mating pheromone but is unnecessary for regulation of the same transcripts during vegetative growth. However, the defect in regulation of CLN1 expression is dependent upon CLN2. We show that pheromone regulates the abundance of Cln2 at a posttranscriptional level and that FAR1 is required for that regulation. From these observations, we suggest that FAR1 function is limited to posttranscriptional regulation of CLN2 expression by mating pheromone. The failure of mating pheromone to repress CLN2 transcript levels in far1 mutants can be explained by the stimulatory effect of the persistent Cln2 protein on CLN2 transcription via the CLN/CDC28-dependent feedback pathway.

FAR1 is Required for Posttranscriptional Regulation of CLN2 Gene Expression in Response to Mating Pheromone

Yeast cells arrest during the G1 interval of the cell cycle in response to peptide mating pheromones. The FAR1 gene is required for cell cycle arrest but not for a number of other aspects of the pheromone response. Genetic evidence suggests that FAR1 is required specifically for inactivation of the G1 cyclin CLN2. From these observations, the FAR1 gene has been proposed to encode an element of the interface between the mating pheromone signal transduction pathway and the cell cycle regulatory apparatus. We show here that FAR1 is necessary for the decrease in CLN1 and CLN2 transcript accumulation observed in response to mating pheromone but is unnecessary for regulation of the same transcripts during vegetative growth. However, the defect in regulation of CLN1 expression is dependent upon CLN2. We show that pheromone regulates the abundance of Cln2 at a posttranscriptional level and that FAR1 is required for that regulation. From these observations, we suggest that FAR1 function is limited to posttranscriptional regulation of CLN2 expression by mating pheromone. The failure of mating pheromone to repress CLN2 transcript levels in far1 mutants can be explained by the stimulatory effect of the persistent Cln2 protein on CLN2 transcription via the CLN/CDC28-dependent feedback pathway.

SIT4 protein phosphatase is required for the normal accumulation of SWI4, CLN1, CLN2, and HCS26 RNAs during late G1.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the RNA levels of the G1 cyclins CLN1, CLN2, and HCS26 increase dramatically during the late G1 phase of the cell cycle. The SIT4 gene, which encodes a serine/threonine protein phosphatase, is required for the normal accumulation of CLN1, CLN2, and HCS26 RNAs during late G1. This requirement for SIT4 in normal G1 cyclin RNA accumulation is at least partly via SWI4. Strains containing mutations in SIT4 are sensitive to the loss of either CLN2 or CLN3 function. At the nonpermissive temperature, temperature-sensitive sit4 strains are blocked for both bud emergence and DNA synthesis. Heterologous expression of CLN2 in the absence of SIT4 function results in DNA synthesis, but most of the cells are still blocked for bud emergence. Therefore, SIT4 is required for at least two late G1 or G1/S functions: the normal accumulation of G1 cyclin RNAs (which is required for DNA synthesis) and some additional function that is required for bud emergence or cell cycle progression through late G1 or G1/S.

A potential positive feedback loop controlling CLN1 and CLN2 gene expression at the start of the yeast cell cycle

The CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3 genes of S. cerevisiae form a redundant family essential for the G1-to-S phase transition. CLN1 and CLN2 mRNAs were previously shown to be negatively regulated by mating pheromone and by cell cycle progression out of G1, whereas CLN3 mRNA is not. The CLN3-2 (DAF1-1) allele prevents both cell cycle arrest and the turnoff of CLN1 and CLN2 mRNAs in response fo mating pheromone, but only in the presence of an active CDC28 gene. An internally deleted nonfunctional cln2 gene was used as a reporter gene to demonstrate that in the absence of mating pheromone, efficient expression of cln2 mRNA requires both an active CDC28 gene and at least one functional CLN gene. mRNA from a nonfunctional cln1 gene was regulated similarly. Thus, CLN function and CDC28 activity jointly stimulate CLN1 and CLN2 mRNA levels, potentially forming a positive feedback loop for CLN1 and CLN2 expression.