Phosphate uptake in yeast in an alkaline environment: problems and solutions
| Dates: | 19 May 2015 |
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| Times: | 11:00 - 12:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Life Sciences |
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| Who is it for: | University staff |
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| Speaker: | Professor Joaquin Arino |
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Special Seminar
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has an undeniable importance in biotechnological applications and it is also an important model for research in molecular biology. This yeast proliferates preferably in an acidic environment and, in many cases, uptake of nutrients is based in a co-transport with H+. Therefore, even a modest alkalisation of the medium has a major impact on this organism, which reacts with a robust adaptive response that involves an extensive remodelling of the gene expression pattern. The signalling pathways that are involved in this transcriptional response are multiple, forming a network of regulatory interactions that has been revealed in recent years (1). Furthermore, certain genes may integrate regulatory inputs from various pathways, thereby allowing fine-tuning of the response. An interesting example is the uptake of phosphate (Pi) under alkaline conditions. Under these conditions the usual transport, based on a H+ / Pi co-transport, becomes less effective and the yeast has to launch an unusual mechanism based in a Na+ / Pi co-transporter, encoded by the PHO89 gene. Although efficient enough, this method involves an associated problem: the uptake of Na+ cations, which are toxic. Our investigations (2, 3) have revealed a common signalling network that controls the expression of PHO89 and that of the Na+-ATPase ENA1 in response to alkalinisation of the environment. Functional coupling of both proteins allows yeast maintain phosphate uptake without being exposed to deleterious side effects.
1. J. Arino, OMICS. 14, 517 (2010).
2. M. Platara et al., J. Biol. Chem. 281, 36632 (2006).
3. A. Serra-Cardona, S. Petrezselyova, D. Canadell, J. Ramos, J. Arino, Mol. Cell Biol 34, 4420 (2014).
Hosted by Dr Lydia Tabernero and Dr Mike Bromley
If you would like to meet with Professor Joaquin Arino, please contact Dr Lydia Tabernero (ext. 57794)
Speaker
Professor Joaquin Arino
Organisation: University of Barcelona
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AV Hill Building
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