Screening for long-lived genes identifies Oga1, a guanine-quadruplex associated protein that affects the chronological lifespan of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Mol Genet Genomics. 2013 Jun;288(5-6):285-95. doi: 10.1007/s00438-013-0748-6. Epub 2013 May 3.

Abstract

Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are excellent model organisms to study lifespan. We conducted screening to identify novel genes that, when overexpressed, extended the chronological lifespan of fission yeast. We identified seven genes, among which we focused on SPBC16A3.08c. The gene product showed similarity to Ylr150w of S. cerevisiae, which has affinity for guanine-quadruplex nucleic acids (G4). The SPBC16A3.08c product associated with G4 in vitro and complemented the phenotype of an S. cerevisiae Ylr150w deletion mutant. From these results, we proposed that SPBC16A3.08c encoded for a functional homolog of Ylr150w, which we designated ortholog of G4-associated protein (oga1 (+)). oga1 (+) overexpression extended the chronological lifespan and also decreased mating efficiency and caused both high and low temperature-sensitive growth. Deleting oga1 (+) resulted in caffeine-sensitive and canavanine-resistant phenotypes. Based on these results, we discuss the function of Oga1 on the chronological lifespan of fission yeast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine / pharmacology
  • Canavanine / pharmacology
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal / genetics
  • G-Quadruplexes*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces / drug effects
  • Schizosaccharomyces / physiology*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / genetics*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Oga1 protein, S pombe
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
  • Stm1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Caffeine
  • Canavanine
  • Protein Kinases
  • Tor1 protein, S pombe