A brief overview of the Swi1 prion-[SWI+]

FEMS Yeast Res. 2018 Sep 1;18(6):foy061. doi: 10.1093/femsyr/foy061.

Abstract

Prion and prion-like phenomena are involved in the pathology of numerous human neurodegenerative diseases. The budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has a number of endogenous yeast prions-epigenetic elements that are transmitted as altered protein conformations and often manifested as heritable phenotypic traits. One such yeast prion, [SWI+], was discovered and characterized by our laboratory. The protein determinant of [SWI+], Swi1 was found to contain an amino-terminal, asparagine-rich prion domain. Normally, Swi1 functions as part of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, thus, acting as a global transcriptional regulator. Consequently, prionization of Swi1 leads to a variety of phenotypes including poor growth on non-glucose carbon sources and abolishment of multicellular features-with implications on characterization of [SWI+] as being detrimental or beneficial to yeast. The study of [SWI+] has revealed important knowledge regarding the chaperone systems supporting prion propagation as well as prion-prion interactions with [PSI+] and [RNQ+]. Additionally, an intricate regulatory network involving [SWI+] and other prion elements governing multicellular features in yeast has begun to be revealed. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of [SWI+] in addition to some possibilities for future study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asparagine / chemistry
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / chemistry*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Prions / chemistry
  • Prions / classification
  • Prions / genetics*
  • Prions / metabolism*
  • Protein Domains
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Prions
  • SWI1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Asparagine