SMK1, a developmentally regulated MAP kinase, is required for spore wall assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genes Dev. 1994 Sep 15;8(18):2151-61. doi: 10.1101/gad.8.18.2151.

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases comprise a family of conserved, eukaryotic enzymes that mediate responses to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli. In yeast, different signal transduction pathways utilize distinct MAP kinase family members. We have identified a new yeast MAP kinase gene (named SMK1) that is required for the completion of sporulation. Molecular and cytologic markers indicate that meiotic development proceeds normally in homozygous smk1-delta 1 diploids through meiosis II. However, light and electron microscopy show that smk1 asci are defective in organizing spore wall assembly. Consistent with a defect in spore wall assembly, smk1-delta 1 mutant asci display enhanced sensitivities to enzymatic digestion, heat shock, and exposure to ether. SMK1 mRNA, which is not detectable in vegetative cells, is derepressed at least 200-fold just prior to prospore enclosure. We propose that the SMK1 MAP kinase participates in a developmentally regulated signal transduction pathway that coordinates cytodifferentiation events with the transcriptional program.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / physiology*
  • Cell Wall / metabolism
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Meiosis / genetics
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Spores, Fungal / enzymology
  • Spores, Fungal / genetics
  • Spores, Fungal / growth & development

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Fungal
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/L35047