Ecm11 protein of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by sumoylation during meiosis

FEMS Yeast Res. 2008 Feb;8(1):64-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2007.00307.x. Epub 2007 Sep 19.

Abstract

Damaged regulation of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) system contributes to some human diseases; therefore, it is very important to identify the SUMO targets and to determine the function of their sumoylation. In this study, it is shown that Ecm11 protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is modified by SUMO during meiosis. It is known that Ecm11 is required in the early stages of yeast meiosis where its function is related to DNA replication and crossing over. Here it is shown that the level of Ecm11 protein is low in mitosis, but high in meiosis. The highest level of Ecm11 is in the early-middle phase of sporulation. A specific site of sumoylation was identified in Ecm11 at Lys5 and evidence is provided that sumoylation at this site directly regulates Ecm11 function in meiosis. On the other hand, no relationship was observed between sumoylation of Ecm11 and its role during vegetative growth. It was shown that Ecm11 interacts with Siz2 SUMO ligase in a two-hybrid system; although Siz2 is not essential for the Ecm11 sumoylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Meiosis / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / physiology
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / genetics
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / physiology*
  • Spores, Fungal / physiology
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Ecm11 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins