Gene expression is dependent upon the interaction of DNA binding factors with distinct promoter control elements to activate transcription. The expression of the HIS4 gene in yeast is under two different control systems. One of these, general amino acid control, involves a DNA binding protein, GCN4, that stimulates transcription in response to amino acid starvation by binding to TGACTC sequences in the HIS4 promoter region. A second system, which we call basal level control, stimulates HIS4 transcription in the absence of amino acid starvation. BAS1 and BAS2, two genes required for the basal level transcription of the HIS4 gene, are also required for control of purine biosynthesis. In addition, one of these genes, BAS2, is required for utilization of organic phosphates in the growth medium. Direct biochemical analysis shows that the BAS2 gene encodes a protein that binds to both the HIS4 and PHO5 promoters. The involvement of a single DNA binding protein in the regulation of histidine, adenine, and phosphate metabolism suggests that yeast may use a small number of DNA binding proteins to coordinate the regulation of diverse metabolic pathways. The goals of this project are twofold: First, to determine how HIS4 is regulated and the biological significance of this regulation in response to various physiological conditions. The second goal is to determine the precise molecular interactions that occur to achieve this regulation, including the binding of activator proteins (GCN4 and BAS2) to DNA and protein-protein interactions between activator proteins and other transcription factors. A combined genetic, molecular biological, and biochemical approach will address the following specific experimental aims: 1) Isolating the TATA binding factor and obtaining the gene specifying this factor. Studying protein-protein interactions between this factor and GCN4. 2) Isolation of the yeast nuclear factor that binds to the HIS4 promoter and competes with GCN4 for binding. Does this factor activate or repress HIS4? 3) Determine how BAS1 activates HIS4 and places HIS4 transcription under control of adenine availability. Determine how BAS1 controls adenine biosynthesis. 4) Identification of the nature of the BAS2 interaction with the HIS4 and PHO5 promoters. Determine how phosphate starvation induces HIS4 transcription. 5) Determine if HIS4 is under other basal level control mechanisms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM039892-03
Application #
3297154
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1988-04-01
Project End
1993-03-31
Budget Start
1990-04-01
Budget End
1991-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Department
Type
DUNS #
065968786
City
Cold Spring Harbor
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11724
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Sutton, A; Lin, F; Arndt, K T (1991) The SIT4 protein phosphatase is required in late G1 for progression into S phase. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 56:75-81
Devlin, C; Tice-Baldwin, K; Shore, D et al. (1991) RAP1 is required for BAS1/BAS2- and GCN4-dependent transcription of the yeast HIS4 gene. Mol Cell Biol 11:3642-51
Luke, M M; Sutton, A; Arndt, K T (1991) Characterization of SIS1, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of bacterial dnaJ proteins. J Cell Biol 114:623-38
Tice-Baldwin, K; Fink, G R; Arndt, K T (1989) BAS1 has a Myb motif and activates HIS4 transcription only in combination with BAS2. Science 246:931-5
Arndt, K T; Styles, C A; Fink, G R (1989) A suppressor of a HIS4 transcriptional defect encodes a protein with homology to the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatases. Cell 56:527-37