Bgs3p, a putative 1,3-beta-glucan synthase subunit, is required for cell wall assembly in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

ABSTRACT: beta-Glucans are the main components of the fungal cell wall. Fission yeast possesses a family of beta-glucan synthase-related genes. We describe here the cloning and characterization of bgs3(+), a new member of this family. bgs3(+) was cloned as a suppressor of a mutant hypersensitive to Echinocandin and Calcofluor White, drugs that interfere with cell wall biosynthesis. Disruption of the gene is lethal, and a decrease in Bgs3p levels leads to rounded cells with thicker walls, slightly reduces the amount of the beta-glucan, and raises the amount of alpha-glucan polymer. These cells finally died. bgs3(+) is expressed in vegetative cells grown in different conditions and during mating and germination and is not enhanced by stress situations. Consistent with the observed expression pattern,

SUBMITTER: Martin V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC141170 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature