The absence of the Isw2p-Itc1p chromatin-remodelling complex induces mating type-specific and Flo11p-independent invasive growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Isw2p-Itc1p chromatin remodelling complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a member of the ISWI class of ATPases with a nucleosome spacing activity, involved in regulation of expression of a broad spectrum of genes. Its absence causes derepression of a-specific genes and aberrant morphology in alpha-mating type cells. We report here that the deletion of the ISW2 gene in the originally non-invasive BY strain induces mating type-specific invasive growth strongly affected by nitrogen starvation.

The W303 genetic background affects the isw2 delta mutant phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We performed detailed phenotypic analysis of the isw2 delta strains of the W303 genetic background and compared its results with those obtained previously in BY-derived genetic background. Shmoolike morphology was observed in the isw2 delta strain of alpha-mating type of the BY strains, but not in its W303-derived counterpart. On the other hand, derepression of a-specific genes in the isw2 delta (MAT alpha) strain was observed in both genetic backgrounds, although to a different extent.

Colocalization of cortical microtubules and F-actin in Dipodascus magnusii using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Distribution of microtubules and F-actin in aerobically growing cells of Dipodascus magnusii, belonging to the class Saccharomycetes was analyzed using immunofluorescence microscopy and labeling with rhodamine-tagged phalloidin. A conspicuous system of permanent cytoplasmic microtubules was observed in association with multiple nuclei. In elongating cells, helices of cytoplasmic microtubules appeared at the cell cortex.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene ISW2 encodes a microtubule-interacting protein required for premeiotic DNA replication.

A molecular genetic characterization of the ORF YOR304W (ISW2), identified in a screen of a yeast lambdagt11 library using a monoclonal antibody that reacts with a 210 kDa mammalian microtubule-interacting protein, is presented in this paper. The protein encoded by the ORF YOR304W is 50% identical to the Drosophila nucleosome remodelling factor ISWI and is therefore a new member of the SNF2 protein family and has been recently entered into SDG as ISW2. Although not essential for vegetative growth, we found that the ISW2 gene is required for early stages in sporulation.