Construction and physiological characterization of mutants disrupted in the phosphofructokinase genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Curr Genet. 1986;11(3):227-34. doi: 10.1007/BF00420611.

Abstract

The structural genes coding for the two kinds of subunits of phosphofructokinase in yeast have been cloned previously (Heinisch 1986). The coding regions were defined by S1-mapping. They were disrupted in vitro by insertion of a LEU2-marker. These constructions were then used for substitution of the respective chromosomal copies. That the disruption of the PFK-genes had in fact occurred was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Furthermore, in Northern blots shorter transcripts were detected in the respective disruption mutants. Using polyclonal antibodies the alpha-subunits were not detectable in pfk1-disruptions whereas the beta-subunits were undetectable in pfk2-disruptions. Physiological characterization showed that the single disruption mutants still fermented glucose to ethanol and CO2. They accumulated fructose-6-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate over wild type levels and showed decreased levels of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. In addition an accumulation of sedoheptulose-7-phosphate was observed, a metabolite not detectable in wild type cells. A haploid yeast strain containing both disrupted copies of the PFK-genes is not capable of growing on rich medium containing 2% glucose. The accumulation of glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate and sedoheptulose-7-phosphate is much more pronounced in such mutants, whereas the fructose-1,6-bisphosphate concentration decreases below the level of detection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fermentation
  • Genes*
  • Genes, Fungal*
  • Genotype
  • Mutation*
  • Phosphofructokinase-1 / genetics*
  • Phosphofructokinase-1 / metabolism
  • Plasmids
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Phosphofructokinase-1