The complete sequencing of the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated that this organism contains five genes encoding aldehyde dehydrogenases. YOR374w and YER073w correspond to the mitochondrial isoforms and we propose as gene names ALD4 and ALD5, respectively. YPL061w has been described as the cytoplasmic constitutive isoform and named ALD6. We characterize here the tandem‐repeated ORFs YMR170c and YMR169c as the cytoplasmic stress‐inducible isoforms, with gene names ALD2 and ALD3, respectively. The expression of ALD2 and ALD3 is dependent on the general‐stress transcription factors Msn2,4 but independent of the HOG MAP kinase pathway. ALD3 is induced by a variety of stresses, including osmotic shock, heat shock, glucose exhaustion, oxidative stress and drugs. ALD2 is only induced by osmotic stress and glucose exhaustion. A double null mutant, ald2 ald3, exhibited unchanged sensitivity to any of the above stresses. The only phenotype detected in this mutant was a reduced growth rate in ethanol medium as compared to the wild type. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A locust within chromosome XIII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing four genes upregulated by osmotic stress has been characterized. Two of the genes, but not their osmotic induction, were already described: the DNA damage-inducible gene DDR48 and the protease inhibitor gene PAI3. The two novel genes encode a cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD2) and a peptide of unknown function (SIP18). These genes form a cluster of two pairs of divergent promoters regulated by osmotic stress. The regulation of the divergent ALD2 and DDR48 genes, however, occurs by different mechanisms. ALD2 exhibits maximum induction with 0.3 M NaCl, negative regulation by protein kinase A and dependence on PBS2 and HOG1 protein kinases for osmotic induction. DDR48 requires 1 M NaCl for maximum induction and its expression in independent of PBS2 and HOG1 protein kinases and less sensitive to protein kinase A. PAI3 and SIP18 are as dependent on the above protein kinases as ALD2. Deletion analysis indicates that most of the regulation of the ALD2 promoter is mediated by a negative element counteracted by osmotic stress.

Our aim was to elucidate the physiological role of calpains (CAPN) in mammary gland involution. Both CAPN-1 and -2 were induced after weaning and its activity increased in isolated mitochondria and lysosomes. CAPN activation within the mitochondria could trigger the release of cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic factors, whereas in lysosomes it might be essential for tissue remodeling by releasing cathepsins into the cytosol. Immunohistochemical analysis localized CAPNs mainly at the luminal side of alveoli. During weaning, CAPNs translocate to the lysosomes processing membrane proteins. To identify these substrates, lysosomal fractions were treated with recombinant CAPN and cleaved products were identified by 2D-DIGE. The subunit b 2 of the v-type H þ ATPase is proteolyzed and so is the lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2a (LAMP2a). Both proteins are also cleaved in vivo. Furthermore, LAMP2a cleavage was confirmed in vitro by addition of CAPNs to isolated lysosomes and several CAPN inhibitors prevented it. Finally, in vivo inhibition of CAPN1 in 72-h-weaned mice decreased LAMP2a cleavage. Indeed, calpeptin-treated mice showed a substantial delay in tissue remodeling and involution of the mammary gland. These results suggest that CAPNs are responsible for mitochondrial and lysosomal membrane permeabilization, supporting the idea that lysosomal-mediated cell death is a new hallmark of mammary gland involution.