Two modes of survival of fission yeast without telomerase

Science. 1998 Oct 16;282(5388):493-6. doi: 10.1126/science.282.5388.493.

Abstract

Deletion of the telomerase catalytic subunit gene trt1+ in Schizosaccharomyces pombe results in death for the majority of cells, but a subpopulation survives. Here it is shown that most survivors have circularized all of their chromosomes, whereas a smaller number maintain their telomeres presumably through recombination. When the telomeric DNA-binding gene taz1+ is also deleted, trt1- taz1- survivors use the recombinational mode more frequently. Moreover, the massive elongation of telomeres in taz1- cells is absent in the double mutant. Thus, Taz1p appears to regulate telomeric recombination as well as telomerase activity in fission yeast.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Fungal / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Fungal / metabolism*
  • DNA Probes
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA*
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / enzymology
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces / physiology*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins*
  • Telomerase / genetics
  • Telomerase / metabolism
  • Telomere / genetics*
  • Telomere / metabolism*
  • Telomere-Binding Proteins*

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
  • Telomere-Binding Proteins
  • taz1 protein, S pombe
  • telomerase RNA
  • trt1 protein, S pombe
  • RNA
  • Telomerase