Mid1p-dependent regulation of the M-G1 transcription wave in fission yeast

J Cell Sci. 2010 Dec 15;123(Pt 24):4366-73. doi: 10.1242/jcs.073049. Epub 2010 Nov 23.

Abstract

The control of gene expression at certain times during the mitotic cell division cycle is a common feature in eukaryotes. In fission yeast, at least five waves of gene expression have been described, with one transcribed at the M-G1 interval under the control of the PBF transcription factor complex. PBF consists of at least three transcription factors, two forkhead-like proteins Sep1p and Fkh2p, and a MADS box-like protein Mbx1p, and binds to PCB motifs found in the gene promoters. Mbx1p is under the direct control of the polo-like kinase Plo1p and the Cdc14p-like phosphatase Clp1p (Flp1p). Here, we show that M-G1 gene expression in fission yeast is also regulated by the anillin-like protein, Mid1p (Dmf1p). Mid1p binds in vivo to both Fkh2p and Sep1p, and to the promoter regions of M-G1 transcribed genes. Mid1p promoter binding is dependent on Fkh2p, Plo1p and Clp1p. The absence of mid1(+) in cells results in partial loss of M-G1 specific gene expression, suggesting that it has a negative role in controlling gene expression. This phenotype is exacerbated by also removing clp1(+), suggesting that Mid1p and Clp1p have overlapping functions in controlling transcription. As mid1(+) is itself expressed at M-G1, these observations offer a new mechanism whereby Mid1p contributes to controlling cell cycle-specific gene expression as part of a feedback loop.

MeSH terms

  • G1 Phase / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Genes, Fungal / genetics
  • Mitosis / genetics*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Mid1 protein, S pombe
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins