The Arf-GTPase-activating protein Gcs1p is essential for sporulation and regulates the phospholipase D Spo14p

Eukaryot Cell. 2006 Jan;5(1):112-24. doi: 10.1128/EC.5.1.112-124.2006.

Abstract

SPO14, encoding the major Saccharomyces cerevisiae phospholipase D (PLD), is essential for sporulation and mediates synthesis of the new membrane that encompasses the haploid nuclei that arise through meiotic divisions. PLD catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidic acid (PA) and choline. PA stimulates Arf-GTPase-activating proteins (Arf-GAPs), which are involved in membrane trafficking events and actin cytoskeletal function. To determine if Spo14p-generated PA mediates its biological response through Arf-GAPs, we analyzed the sporulation efficiencies of cells deleted for each of the five known and potential yeast Arf-GAPs. Only gcs1delta mutants display a sporulation defect similar to that of spo14 mutants: cells deleted for GCS1 initiate the sporulation program but are defective in synthesis of the prospore membrane. Endosome-to-vacuole transport is also impaired in gcs1delta cells during sporulation. Furthermore, Arf-GAP catalytic activity, but not the pleckstrin homology domain, is required for both prospore membrane formation and endosome-to-vacuole trafficking. An examination of Gcs1p-green fluorescent protein revealed that it is a soluble protein. Interestingly, cells deleted for GCS1 have reduced levels of Spo14p-generated PA. Taken together, these results indicate that GCS1 is essential for sporulation and suggest that GCS1 positively regulates SPO14.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Blood Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / chemistry
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / deficiency
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Hydrolysis
  • Meiosis
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phosphatidic Acids / metabolism
  • Phospholipase D / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / chemistry
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / ultrastructure
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Solubility
  • Spores, Fungal / physiology*
  • Vacuoles / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GCS1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Phosphatidic Acids
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • platelet protein P47
  • Phospholipase D
  • SPO14 protein, S cerevisiae