The Schizosaccharomyces pombe hst4(+) gene is a SIR2 homologue with silencing and centromeric functions.

ABSTRACT: Although silencing is a significant form of transcriptional regulation, the functional and mechanistic limits of its conservation have not yet been established. We have identified the Schizosaccharomyces pombe hst4(+) gene as a member of the SIR2/HST silencing gene family that is defined in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. hst4Delta mutants grow more slowly than wild-type cells and have abnormal morphology and fragmented DNA. Mutant strains show decreased silencing of reporter genes at both telomeres and centromeres. hst4(+) appears to be important for centromere function as well because mutants have elevated chromosome-loss rates and are sensitive to a microtubule-destabilizing drug. Consistent with a role in chromatin structure, Hst4p localizes to the nucleus and appears concen

SUBMITTER: Freeman-Cook LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC25575 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature