Potential roles for interactions between the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA throughout the cell cycle of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Abstract

Over the course of mitochondrial evolution, the majority of genes required for its function have been transferred and integrated into nuclear chromosomes. Ongoing transfer of mitochondrial DNA to the nucleus has been detected, but its functional significance has not been fully elucidated. Here by Genome Conformation Capture, we identify DNA-DNA interactions between the mitochondrial and nuclear chromosomes (mt-nDNA interactions) that vary in strength and number between the G1, G2 and M phases of the fission yeast cell cycle. Mt-nDNA interactions captured in mitotic anaphase were associated with nuclear genes required for the regulation of cell growth and energy availability. Furthermore, mt-nDNA interactions captured in the G1 phase involved high efficiency, early firing origins of DNA replication. Collectively, these results suggest functional roles for the ongoing transfer of regions of the mitochondrial genome to the nucleus.

Population structure of mitochondrial genomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

“…Possibly, the elevated petite frequency observed in the West African-related laboratory strain, SK1 [ 54 ], is due to an elevated number of GC clusters predicted in this phylogenetically distinct group. While S. cerevisiae introns are not essential for mitochondrial respiration [ 55 ], they may offer an underappreciated regulatory role [ 56 – 58 ]. Absence of introns in certain populations may relax selection on the nuclear encoded splicing factors, thus contributing to the creation of cytonuclear incompatibilities that play a role in post-zygotic speciation in these lower eukaryotes [ 26 – 30 ].…”

A diffusion model for the coordination of DNA replication in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

“…Chromosome contact data was obtained from 9 . Briefly S. pombe MY291 (h- lue1 cdc10-129) cells were synchronized by temperature shift and the chromosomal contacts captured using genome conformation capture (GCC) 9 14 . GCC networks were constructed from 50 bp paired-end Illumina Genome Analyser sequence reads using the Topography suite v1.19 9 .…”

“…Next we considered the spatial distribution of replication origins classified according to their time of firing in the S phase of the cell cycle and their frequency of use ( i.e. efficiency) within a population of cells 3 14 . There was clear spatial segregation of origins of replication according to their firing times ( Fig.…”

Insights from Space: Potential Role of Diet in the Spatial Organization of Chromosomes

“…, nuclear mitochondrial sequences, NuMTs) within a wide range of eukaryotic genomes [ 89 , 90 , 91 ]. In Baker’s yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) and fission yeast ( Schizosaccharomyces pombe ) it has been shown that mitochondrial DNA forms interchromosomal connections with the nuclear DNA [ 92 , 93 ]. Moreover, these connections are environment, nutrient and cell cycle specific.…”