The yeast gene SNQ2 confers hyper-resistance to the mutagens 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4-NQO) and Triaziquone, as well as to the chemicals sulphomethuron methyl and phenanthroline when present in multiple copies in transformants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Subcloning and sequencing of a 5.5 kb yeast DNA fragment revealed that SNQ2 has an open reading frame of 4.5 kb. The putative encoded polypeptide of 1501 amino acids has a predicted molecular weight of 169 kDa and has several hydrophobic regions. Northern analysis showed a transcript of 5.5 kb. Haploid cells with a disrupted SNQ2 reading frame are viable. The SNQ2-encoded protein has domains believed to be involved in ATP binding and is likely to be membrane associated. It most probably serves as an ATP-dependent permease.

Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with enhanced sensitivity to the DNA cross-linking agent nitrogen mustard (HN2) have been isolated and partially characterized with respect to their phenotypic and genetic properties. The screening technique, based on HN2-sensitivity as sole criterion, yields approxiamtely 1 sensitive isolate in 200 clones when applied to an intensively mutagenized population of a resistant parent strain. Mutants characterized so far are all due to recessive nuclear genes and represent at least seven complementation groups. They exhibit different degrees as well as different patterns of sensitivity towards monofunctional and bifunctional alkylating agents, and ultraviolet light.

A multi-copy plasmid containing the SNQ3 gene confers hyper-resistance to 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO), Trenimon, MNNG, cycloheximide, and to sulfometuron methyl in yeast transformants. Restriction analysis, subcloning, and DNA sequencing revealed an open reading frame of 1,950 bp on the SNQ3-containing insert DNA. Gene disruption and transplacement into chromosomal DNA yielded 4NQO-sensitive null mutants which were also more sensitive than the wild-type to Trenimon, cycloheximide, sulfometuron methyl, and MNNG. Hydropathic analysis showed that the SNQ3-encoded protein is most likely not membrane-bound, while the codon bias index points to low expression of the gene.

Screening of a multi-copy vector-based yeast genomic library in haploid cells of wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae yielded transformants hyper-resistant to various chemical mutagens. Genetical analysis of the yeast insert DNAs revealed three genes SNG1, SNQ2, and SNQ3 that confer the phenotype hyper-resistance to MNNG, to 4-NQO and triaziquone, and to mutagens 4-NQO, MNNG, and triaziquone, respectively. Integration of the gene disruption-constructs into the haploid yeast genome yielded viable null-mutants with a mutagen-sensitive phenotype. Thus, copy number of these non-essential yeast genes determines the relative resistance to certain chemical mutagens, with zero copies yielding a phenotype of mutagen sensitivity and multiple copies one of mutagen hyper-resistance, respectively.

The hyperresistance to 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4-NQO) and formaldehyde (FA) of yeast strains transformed with the multi-copy plasmids pAR172 and pAR184, respectively, is due to the two genes, SNQ and SFA, which are present on these plasmids. Restriction analysis revealed the maximal size of SFA as 2.7 kb and of SNQ as 2.2 kb, including transcription control elements. The presence of the smallest 2.7 kb subclone carrying SFA increased hyperresistance to formaldehyde fivefold over that of the original pAR184 isolate. No such increase in hyperresistance to 4-NQO was seen with the smaller subclones of the pAR172 isolate. Disruption of the SFA gene led to a threefold increase in sensitivity to FA as compared with the wild type. Expression of gene SNQ introduced on a multi-copy vector into haploid yeast mutants rad2, rad3, and snm1 did not complement these mutations that block excision repair.