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The cpc-2 gene ofNeurospora crassa encodes a protein entirely composed of WD-repeat segments that is involved in general amino acid control and female fertility

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Abstract

Phenotypic and molecular studies of the mutationU142 indicate that thecpc-2 + gene is required to activate general amino acid control under conditions of amino acid limitation in the vegetative growth phase, and for formation of protoperithecia in preparation for the sexual phase of the life cycle ofNeurospora crassa. Thecpc-2 gene was cloned by complementation of thecpc-2 mutation in ahis-2 ts bradytrophic background. Genomic and cDNA sequence analysis indicated a 1636 by long open reading frame interrupted by four introns. The deduced 316 amino acid polypeptide reveals 70% positional identity over its full length with G-protein β-subunit-related polypeptides found in humans, rat (RACK1), chicken, tobacco andChlamydomonas. With the exception of RACK1 the function of these proteins is obscure. All are entirely made up of seven WD-repeats. Expression studies ofcpc-2 revealed one abundant transcript in the wild type; in the mutant its level is drastically reduced. In mutant cells transformed with the complementing sequence, the transcript level, enzyme regulation and female fertility are restored. In the wild type thecpc-2 transcript is down-regulated under conditions of amino acid limitation. Withcpc-2 a new element involved in general amino acid control has been identified, indicating a function for a WD-repeat protein that belongs to a class that is conserved throughout the evolution of eukaryotes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Angewandte Genetik, Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuserstrasse 2, 30419, Hannover, Germany

    Franke Müller, Dirk Krüger, Evelyn Sattlegger, Bernd Hoffmann & Ilse Babette Barthelmess

  2. Dipt. di Genetica e Biologia Molecolare, Centro Studi degli Acidi Nucleici, Universita La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Paola Ballario

  3. Dep. of Life Sciences, Bethlehem University, P.O. Box 9, West Bank, Israel

    Moien Kanaan

Authors
  1. Franke Müller
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  2. Dirk Krüger
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  3. Evelyn Sattlegger
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  4. Bernd Hoffmann
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  5. Paola Ballario
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  6. Moien Kanaan
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  7. Ilse Babette Barthelmess
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Communicated by C. A. M. J. J. van den Hondel

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Müller, F., Krüger, D., Sattlegger, E. et al. The cpc-2 gene ofNeurospora crassa encodes a protein entirely composed of WD-repeat segments that is involved in general amino acid control and female fertility. Molec. Gen. Genet. 248, 162–173 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02190797

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02190797

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