Structure and Molecular Analysis of RGR1, a Gene Required for Glucose Repression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

An RGR1 gene product is required to repress expression of glucose-regulated genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The abnormal morphology of rgr1 cells was studied. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations revealed that the cell wall of the daughter cell remained attached to that of mother cell. We cloned the RGR1 gene by complementation and showed that the cloned DNA was tightly linked to the chromosomal RGR1 locus. The cloned RGR1 gene suppressed all of the phenotypes caused by the mutation and encoded a 3.6-kilobase poly(A)+ RNA. The RGR1 gene is located on chromosome XII, as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and we mapped rgr1 between gal2 and pep3 by genetic analysis. rgr1 was shown to be a new locus. We also determined the nucleotide sequence of RGR1, which was predicted to encode a 123-kilodalton protein. The null mutation resulted in lethality, indicating that the RGR1 gene is essential for growth. On the other hand, a carboxy-terminal deletion of the gene caused phenotypes similar to but more severe than those caused by the original mutation. The amount of reserve carbohydrates was reduced in rgr1 cells. Possible functions of the RGR1 product are discussed.