Functional interdependence of the yeast SNF2, SNF5, and SNF6 proteins in transcriptional activation

Brehon C. Laurent, Michelle A. Treitel, Marian Carlson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

226 Scopus citations

Abstract

The SNF2, SNF5, and SNF6 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are required for expression of a variety of differently regulated genes. Previous evidence implicated the SNF5 protein in transcriptional activation, and a DNA-bound LexA-SNF5 fusion protein was shown to activate expression of a nearby promoter. Here, we examine the functional relationship of the SNF2, SNF5, and SNF6 proteins. Activation by DNA-bound LexA-SNF5 fusion protein was greatly reduced in snf2 and snf6 mutants, indicating that activation by LexA-SNF5 requires SNF2 and SNF6 function. An spt6 mutation, which suppresses transcriptional defects caused by snf2, restored activation by LexA-SNF5 in a snf2 mutant. The SNF2 gene was sequenced and encodes a 194-kDa protein that is targeted to the nucleus. DNA-bound LexA-SNF2 fusion protein also activated transcription, dependent on SNF5 and SNF6. These findings suggest that SNF2, SNFS, and SNF6 function interdependently in transcriptional activation, possibly forming a heteromeric complex.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2687-2691
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume88
Issue number7
StatePublished - 1 Apr 1991
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • LexA fusion proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Transcriptional activators

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