Background: DDI2 and DDI3 are two uncharacterized identical genes found in budding yeast. Results: They encode novel cyanamide hydratases and are massively induced by cyanamide. Their deletion causes cellular sensitivity to cyanamide. Conclusion:The two genes function in cyanamide detoxification and are tightly regulated. Significance: This is the first attempt to understand the duplicated gene cluster in budding yeast.

Overview of DNA-Damage Responses and SignalingThe genome of living organisms is constantly under the attack of exogenous and endogenous agents that damage their DNA potentially leading to harmful events such as single-or double-strand DNA breaks (SSBs or DSBs). 1 It is imperative for the organisms to resolve such damage and protect their DNA to maintain genomic stability, allowing for proper replication and proliferation. To counteract the deleterious effects of DNA-damaging agents, organisms have developed DNA-damage responses (DDR) in order to maintain the stability of their genome and ensure proper replication and survival. This is achieved through the sensing of DNA-damaging events and transducing effecter kinases that regulate genes involved in various pathways that enable cells to tolerate their current state of stress.The Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM-and Rad3-related (ATR) sensor kinases are recruited to sites of DNA damage. Upon recruitment they phosphorylate and activate a

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a well-established model organism used to study multiple facets of eukaryotic organisms. The manipulation and isolation of DNA is a key element of basic genetic research. Meanwhile, the isolation of RNA is required for the study of transcriptional regulation. Presented in this chapter are fast and efficient methods of isolating genomic and plasmid DNA and total RNA that is capable of being utilized for a variety of genetic studies such as restriction analysis, northern and southern blotting, and real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR. Plasmids isolated via this method are also of sufficient quality to be transformed into E. coli for further genetic manipulation and study.

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