Yeast Kar4 is a putative transcription factor required for karyogamy (the fusion of haploid nuclei during mating) and possibly other functions. Previously known to be required only for the transcriptional induction of KAR3 and CIK1, microarray experiments identified many genes regulated by Kar4 in both mating and mitosis. Several gene clusters are positively or negatively regulated by mating pheromone in a Kar4-dependent manner. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and gel shift assays confirmed that Kar4 binds to regulatory DNA sequences upstream of KAR3. Together with one-hybrid experiments, these data support a model in which both Kar4 and Ste12 bind jointly to the KAR3 promoter. Analysis of the upstream regions of Kar4-induced genes identified a DNA sequence motif that may be a binding site for Kar4. Mutation within the motif upstream of KAR3 eliminated pheromone induction. Genes regulated by Kar4, on average, are delayed in their temporal expression and exhibit a more stringent dose response to pheromone. Furthermore, the induction of Kar4 by pheromone is necessary for the delayed temporal induction of KAR3 and PRM2, genes required for efficient nuclear fusion during mating. Accordingly, we propose that Kar4 plays a critical role in the choreography of the mating response.

No abstract

RhoA is a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton that is upregulated after spinal cord injury (SCI). We analyzed different methods for siRNA delivery and developed siRNAs targeting RhoA (siRhoA) for SCI treatment. Cy 3.5-labeled siRNA delivered at the time of SCI yielded fluorescence in several cell types in the injury site. Intraspinal injections of chemically stabilized siRhoA into the spinal cord of injured rats reduced RhoA protein levels after 1 week and improved hindlimb walking over 6 weeks. To explore a less invasive route, we tested intrathecal injection of Cy 3.5-labeled siRNA via lumbar puncture 1 day after SCI, which resulted in robust uptake in the T9-T10 injury site. Lumbar injection of siRhoA 1 day after SCI reduced RhoA mRNA and protein levels 3 days after injection. Although siRhoA treatment did not yield significant improvement in locomotion, it decreased tactile hypersensitivity significantly compared to controls. Histological analysis at 8 weeks showed significant improvement in white matter sparing with siRhoA compared to control siRNA. siRhoA treatment also resulted in less accumulation of ED1+macrophages, increased PKC-γ immunoreactivity in the corticospinal tract rostral to the injury site, and increased serotonergic fiber growth 12 mm caudal to the contusion site. The ability of siRhoA to preserve white matter and promote serotonergic axonal regrowth caudal to the injury site is likely to suppress allodynia. This provides justification for considering clinical development of RhoA inhibitors to treat SCI sub-acutely to reduce allodynia, which occurs frequently in SCI patients.

No abstract

Responses of the halotolerant yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa YRH2 to salt stress was studied. Strain YRH2 was isolated from chemical industry park wastewater evaporation ponds that are characterized by large fluctuations in salinity and pH. Upon shift to high salt medium there is a shutdown of protein synthesis. Radiolabeling and separation of proteins from salt stressed and non-stressed cells identified down-regulated heat shock 70 proteins Ssb1/2p, by N-terminal sequencing and Western blotting. Ssb's role in salt stress in both R. mucilaginosa and S. cerevisiae was examined and we show that its response to salt stress and amino acid limitation is similar. Other proteins such as the heat shock 70 protein Kar2p/BiP and Protein Disulfide Isomerase were strongly induced in response to a shift to high salt in R. mucilaginosa and reacted in a manner similar to the effect of tunicamycin, a known unfolded protein response inducer. Also, assaying carboxypeptidase Y, we showed that high salt medium reduces the specific activity of the enzyme in R. mucilaginosa. It is suggested that the changes in the expression of the heat shock 70 proteins is a part of a mechanism which alleviates the damaging effects of high salt on protein folding in the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa.