ABSTRACT
Ecl1 family genes (ecl1 (+), ecl2 (+), and ecl3 (+)) have been identified as extenders of the chronological lifespan in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Here, we found that the triple-deletion mutant (∆ecl1/2/3) had a defect in sexual development after entry into the stationary phase, although the mutant essentially showed normal mating and sporulation under nitrogen starvation or carbon limitation. In this study, we showed that limitation of zinc or iron can be a signal for sexual development of S. pombe cells grown in Edinburgh minimal medium until the stationary phase and that Ecl1 family genes are important for this process. Because the ∆ecl1/2/3 mutant diminishes the zinc depletion-dependent gene expression, Ecl1 family proteins may function as zinc sensors in the process of sexual development.
Subject(s)
Genes, Fungal , Iron Deficiencies , Multigene Family , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/genetics , Schizosaccharomyces/genetics , Schizosaccharomyces/physiology , Zinc/pharmacology , Conjugation, Genetic/drug effects , Edetic Acid/pharmacology , Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal/drug effects , Genes, Mating Type, Fungal , Mutation/genetics , Nitrogen/deficiency , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism , Schizosaccharomyces/drug effects , Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/metabolism , Spores, Fungal/drug effects , Spores, Fungal/physiology , Transcription, Genetic/drug effectsABSTRACT
Equine cells are required for isolation of viruses that infect the horse. However, only a few equine cell lines and cell cultures are available so far. Fetal horse kidney (FHK)-Tcl3.1 cell is a novel cell line established by introducing simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen. In the present study, the ability to propagate equine viruses was compared between FHK-Tcl3.1 cells and other equine cells. FHK-Tcl3.1 cells efficiently increased many viruses derived from or having pathogenicity to horses and produced high infective titers in culture fluids. These results indicate that FHK-Tcl3.1 cells would be useful for propagation and serological tests of viruses that affect Equidae.
