A Genetic Screen for High-Copy Suppressors of the Growth Defect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae set1 Null Mutants Under Histidine Starvation Conditions
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Date
2018-04-19
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Abstract
Previous research indicates that Set1 is the catalytically active protein in COMPASS, a protein methyltransferase complex associated with transcription in budding yeast cells. However, the mechanistic role that Set1 and COMPASS plays in the regulation of transcription remains poorly characterized. Current research in the Bryk lab indicates that mono-methylation of histone H3 on lysine 4 (K4) is required for 3-aminotriazole-induced transcription of the HIS3 gene by RNA polymerase II (PolII). The research shows that yeast cells lacking a functional SET1 gene (containing null alleles, either set1Δ or set1-Y967A) grow poorly on medium lacking histidine and containing 3-aminotriazole (3-AT). Overexpression screens are being performed to identify genes that suppress the growth defect of set1 null mutants. Genes when over-expressed are expected to either bypass the need for Set1 or replace Set1 function through interaction with a non-functional Set1 complex. Studying genetic suppressors may uncover clues to the role of SET1 in the Pol II transcription mechanism, providing new information on transcription, a ubiquitous vital process in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
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Set1, chromatin, histone methylation, genetic screen, genetic suppressor