EUROFAN 2 is a consortium to systematically analyze genes in S.
cerevisiae identified by systematic DNA sequencing. My laboratory is
part of the F1 cluster NUCLEAR DYNAMICS, specifically in the N1 node
GENOME PLASTICITY/MEIOSIS. The goal of this node is to establish and
verify assays for high throughput screening in these specific
biological processes and to perform the high throughput screening
with the mutant strain collection established in EUROFAN 1.
We have completed the high throughput screen with the target set of
451 S. cerevisiae strains, carrying each a deletion of single gene,
and identified 25 strains that are consistently sensitive to the
ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor hydroxy urea. This phenotype
identifies DNA damage checkpoint mutants that are otherwise more
difficult to identify and also certain classes of DNA repair mutants.
In 23 of 25 cases, we could confirm that the phenotype is caused by
the gene deletion under study. We extended these observation by
determining that 13 strains were affected in their survival in the
presence of hydroxy urea, suggesting a possible defect in the S-M
checkpoint. None of these genes has been previously involved in DNA
repair or checkpoint processes. Paired with the wealth of
information about these strains generated by the other laboratories
in our program, we now have a series of novel genes involved in DNA
repair and checkpoint control in S. cerevisiae and well positioned to
elucidate the function of the encoded proteins. Several of these
novel genes are conserved in evolution and understanding their
cellular function will be of general significance.
Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Section of Microbiology
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
U.S.A.
TEL. +1 530-752-3001 office/ -3016 lab
FAX +1 530-752-3011
wdheyer@ucdavis.eduhttp://microbiology.ucdavis.edu/heyerlab/wdhhome.htm
