Yeast origin recognition complex functions in transcription silencing and DNA replication

Science. 1993 Dec 17;262(5141):1844-9. doi: 10.1126/science.8266072.

Abstract

The genes encoding two of the subunits of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae origin recognition complex (ORC) have been isolated. Characterization of a temperature-sensitive mutation in the gene encoding the 72-kD subunit of ORC (ORC2) indicates that this protein complex functions early in the DNA replication process. Moreover, ORC derived from orc2ts cells is defective for DNA binding. Others have shown a defect in orc2ts cells in transcriptional silencing at the silent mating-type loci. Consistent with this finding, ORC specifically binds to each of the four mating-type silencers identified in yeast. These findings support the hypothesis that ORC acts as an initiator protein at yeast origins of DNA replication and suggest that ORC also functions in the determination of transcriptional domains.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • DNA Replication*
  • DNA, Fungal / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Genes, Mating Type, Fungal
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Origin Recognition Complex
  • Replicon*
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • S Phase
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Temperature
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • ORC2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Origin Recognition Complex
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins