The biological effects of high-pressure gas on the yeast transcriptome

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of DNA microarray technology in an attempt to construct an evaluation system for determining gas toxicity using high-pressure conditions, as it is well known that pressure increases the concentration of a gas. As a first step, we used yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as the indicator organism and analyzed the mRNA expression profiles after exposure of yeast cells to nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas was selected as a negative control since this gas has low toxicity. Yeast DNA microarray analysis revealed induction of genes whose products were localized to the membranes, and of genes that are involved in or contribute to energy production. Furthermore, we found that nitrogen gas significantly affected the transport system in the cells. Interestingly, nitrogen gas also resulted in induction of cold-shock responsive genes. These results suggest the possibility of applying yeast DNA microarray to gas bioassays up to 40 MPa. We therefore think that "bioassays" are ideal for use in environmental control and protection studies.

Over-Expression of YLR162W in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Renders Cells Susceptible to the Hypoxic Conditions Induced by Cobalt Chloride

“…Expression studies have shown that YLR162W transcript level was increased by 4.3 folds in cells over-expressing MLH1 [4] i.e., under conditions of elevated spontaneous mutation rate and genomic instability. YLR162W expression was also significantly elevated during high-pressure stress [5], upon Mg 2? starvation [6], during response to a-factor (50 folds) [7] and in stationary phase [8].…”