Characterization of a cDNA from Beta maritima that confers nickel tolerance in yeast

Gene. 2014 Apr 1;538(2):251-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.01.052. Epub 2014 Jan 31.

Abstract

Nickel is an essential micronutrient due to its involvement in many enzymatic reactions as a cofactor. However, excess of this element is toxic to biological systems. Here, we constructed a cDNA library from Beta maritima and screened it in the yeast system to identify genes that confer resistance to toxic levels of nickel. A cDNA clone (NIC6), which encodes for a putative membrane protein with unknown function, was found to help yeast cells to tolerate toxic levels of nickel. A GFP fused form of Nic6 protein was localized to multivesicular structures in tobacco epidermal cells. Thus, our results suggest a possible role of Nic6 in nickel and intracellular ion homeostasis.

Keywords: Beta maritima; Heavy metal toxicity; Ion homeostasis; Nickel; Transporter protein; Yeast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Beta vulgaris / drug effects
  • Beta vulgaris / genetics*
  • Beta vulgaris / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Plant / genetics*
  • Gene Library
  • Genes, Plant
  • Inactivation, Metabolic / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nickel / metabolism*
  • Nickel / toxicity
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA, Plant
  • Plant Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Nickel