Yeast STE7, STE11, and STE12 genes are required for expression of cell-type-specific genes.

Cell type specialization in yeast haploids involves the mutually exclusive expression of one of two sets of genes, the a-specific and alpha-specific genes. We demonstrated that the products of the STE7, STE11, and STE12 genes were required for the expression of both gene sets. RNA levels transcribed from these gene sets were significantly decreased but not abolished in haploids containing a null mutation in the STE7, STE11, or STE12 gene. Transcript levels from the a- and alpha-specific gene sets were not further reduced in strains harboring mutations in all three STE genes, suggesting that STE7, STE11, and STE12 are required for the same aspect of transcription. We further showed that the requirement for these products was not the same for each member of a particular gene set. However, for any given a- or alpha-specific gene, the effect on RNA levels of any of the three ste mutations was similar.

Nucleotide sequence of the yeast regulatory gene STE7 predicts a protein homologous to protein kinases.

The nucleotide sequence of the STE7 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined. It is one of several regulatory genes implicated in the control of cell-type-specific gene expression in yeast. The predicted amino acid sequence shows homology to several members of the protein kinase family. These results suggest protein phosphorylation may play a key role in regulation leading to cell-type specialization in yeast.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the STE7 and STE11 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, haploid cells occur in one of the two cell types, a or alpha. The allele present at the mating type (MAT) locus plays a prominent role in the control of cell type expression. An important consequence of the elaboration of cell type is the ability of cells of one mating type to conjugate with cells of the opposite mating type, resulting in yet a third cell type, an a/alpha diploid. Numerous genes that are involved in the expression of cell type and the conjugation process have been identified by standard genetic techniques. Molecular analysis has shown that expression of several of these genes is subject to control on the transcriptional level by the MAT locus. Two genes, STE7 and STE11, are required for mating in both haploid cell types; ste7 and ste11 mutants are sterile. We report here the molecular cloning of STE7 and STE11 genes and show that expression of these genes is not regulated transcriptionally by the MAT locus. We also have genetically mapped the STE11 gene to chromosome XII, 40 centimorgans from ura4.

Mutations affecting Ty-mediated expression of the HIS4 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have identified mutations in seven unlinked genes (SPT genes) that affect the phenotypes of Ty and delta insertion mutations in the 5' noncoding region of the HIS4 gene of S. cerevisiae. Spt mutants were selected for suppression of his4-912 delta, a solo delta derivative of Ty912. Other Ty and delta insertions at HIS4 are suppressed by mutations in some but not all of the SPT genes. Only spt4 suppresses a non-Ty insertion at HIS4. In addition to their effects on Ty and delta insertions, mutations in several SPT genes show defects in general cellular functions--mating, DNA repair and growth.

Requirement of either of a pair of ras-related genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for spore viability.

Cells of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, containing disruptions of either of two genes that are members of the ras oncogene family are viable, but haploid yeast spores carrying disruptions of both genes fail to grow.

The origins of gene instability in yeast.

Two unstable mutations at the his4 locus of yeast are due to the insertion of the transposable elements Ty912 and Ty917 into the his4 regulatory region. The two transposons are related, one being derived from the other by a substitution of 4000 base pairs of DNA. Element Ty912 includes identical terminal repeats, whereas the terminal repeats of Ty917 are not identical. Transposition of Ty912 or Ty917 generates 5-base-pair duplications of the target DNA at either end of the element. Expression and reversion of a his4 gene containing Ty912 or Ty917 is controlled by three unlinked regulatory genes. The properties of these regulatory genes are similar to those described for the controlling elements in maize.

Genetic events associated with an insertion mutation in yeast.

The his4-912 mutation shares similar genetic properties with mutations promoted by procaryotic insertion elements. This mutation lacks all three his4 functions. Many different classes of His+ revertants have been obtained from his4-912. The most frequent class of His+ revertants results from a site mutation which confers a cold-sensitive His- phenotype. Other classes of revertants contain translocations (one between chromosomes I and III and the other between chromosomes III and XII), a transposition of the his4 region to chromosome VIII, and an inversion of most of the left arm of chromosome III. Another class contains deletions which extend from his4-912 into the his4 region. In each of these classes of revertants, the his4 region is closely linked to the chromosomal aberration. Many of these revertants contain additional changes in chromosome structure (duplication, deletion and aneuploidy) that are unrelated to the reversion of his4-912 to His4+.