The TYE7 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a putative bHLH-LZ transcription factor required for Ty1-mediated gene expression | JoVE Visualize

The TYE7 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a putative bHLH-LZ transcription factor required for Ty1-mediated gene expression

C Löhning¹, M Ciriacy

¹Institut für Mikrobiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Yeast (Chichester, England)|October 1, 1994

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers discovered the TYE7 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, crucial for regulating gene expression mediated by the Ty1 retrotransposon. This gene encodes a protein that acts as a transcriptional activator, influencing gene expression through specific Ty1 enhancer elements.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Yeast Genetics
Retrotransposon Research

Background:

Gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is often influenced by internal sequences of the Ty1 retrotransposon.
The precise mechanisms of Ty1-mediated gene regulation require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and characterize novel factors involved in Ty1-mediated gene expression.
To understand the role of the identified TYE7 gene in regulating ADH2 expression via Ty1 sequences.

Main Methods:

Isolation and characterization of tye7 mutants affecting Ty1-mediated ADH2 expression.
Gene cloning and protein analysis of the TYE7 gene.
Reporter gene assays using LexA-TYE7 hybrid proteins to assess transcriptional activation.
Analysis of ADH2 activation by defined Ty1 derivatives.

Main Results:

Novel tye7 mutants were identified, impacting Ty1-mediated ADH2 expression through a distal Ty1 sequence.
The TYE7 gene encodes a 33 kDa protein with a serine-rich N-terminus and a C-terminus similar to Myc/Max proteins, suggesting it belongs to the bHLH/LZ family.
TYE7 functions as a transcriptional activator, positively influencing expression via the distal Ty1 enhancer element (region D) and negatively in the region between elements A and D.

Conclusions:

TYE7 is a novel transcriptional activator involved in Ty1-mediated gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The TYE7 protein's structure suggests a role within the bHLH/LZ family of transcription factors.
TYE7 modulates gene expression through specific interactions with Ty1 enhancer elements, providing insights into retrotransposon-host gene interactions.