Quantitative characterization of the auxin-inducible degron: a guide for dynamic protein depletion in single yeast cells

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 5;7(1):4704. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04791-6.

Abstract

Perturbations are essential for the interrogation of biological systems. The auxin-inducible degron harbors great potential for dynamic protein depletion in yeast. Here, we thoroughly and quantitatively characterize the auxin-inducible degron in single yeast cells. We show that an auxin concentration of 0.25 mM is necessary for fast and uniform protein depletion between single cells, and that in mother cells proteins are depleted faster than their daughters. Although, protein recovery starts immediately after removal of auxin, it takes multiple generations before equilibrium is reached between protein synthesis and dilution, which is when the original protein levels are restored. Further, we found that blue light, used for GFP excitation, together with auxin results in growth defects, caused by the photo-destruction of auxin to its toxic derivatives, which can be avoided if indole-free auxin substitutes are used. Our work provides guidelines for the successful combination of microscopy, microfluidics and the auxin-inducible degron, offering the yeast community an unprecedented tool for dynamic perturbations on the single cell level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / chemistry
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / drug effects
  • Indoleacetic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Light
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Proteolysis
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins