Rfm1, a novel tethering factor required to recruit the Hst1 histone deacetylase for repression of middle sporulation genes

Mol Cell Biol. 2003 Mar;23(6):2009-16. doi: 10.1128/MCB.23.6.2009-2016.2003.

Abstract

Transcriptional repression is often correlated with the alteration of chromatin structure through modifications of the nucleosomes in the promoter region, such as by deacetylation of the N-terminal histone tails. This is presumed to make the promoter region inaccessible to other regulatory factors and the general transcription machinery. To accomplish this, histone deacetylases are recruited to specific promoters via DNA-binding proteins and tethering factors. We have previously reported the requirement for the NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase Hst1 and the DNA-binding protein Sum1 for vegetative repression of many middle sporulation genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we report the identification of a novel tethering factor, Rfm1, that is required for Hst1-mediated repression. Rfm1 interacts with both Sum1 and Hst1 and is required for the Sum1-Hst1 interaction. DNA microarray and Northern blot analyses showed that Rfm1 is required for repression of the same subset of Sum1-repressed genes that require Hst1. These results suggest that Rfm1 is a specificity factor that targets the Hst1 deacetylase to a subset of Sum1-regulated genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism*
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Models, Genetic
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / physiology
  • Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Sirtuin 2
  • Sirtuins / metabolism*
  • Spores, Fungal

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Rfm1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • SUM1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • HST1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • SIR2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Sirtuin 2
  • Sirtuins
  • Histone Deacetylases