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EMBO J

Title:		The MEP2 ammonium permease regulates pseudohyphal differentiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Author(s):		Lorenz MC; Heitman J;
Address:		"Departments of Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, 322 CARL Building, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA"
Journal Title:		EMBO J
Year:		1998
Volume:		17
Issue:		5
Page Number:		1236 - 1247
DOI:		10.1093/emboj/17.5.1236
ISSN/ISBN:		0261-4189 (Print) 1460-2075 (Electronic) 0261-4189 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In response to nitrogen starvation, diploid cells of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae differentiate into a filamentous, pseudohyphal growth form. This dimorphic transition is regulated by the Galpha protein GPA2, by RAS2, and by elements of the pheromone-responsive MAP kinase cascade, yet the mechanisms by which nitrogen starvation is sensed remain unclear. We have found that MEP2, a high affinity ammonium permease, is required for pseudohyphal differentiation in response to ammonium limitation. In contrast, MEP1 and MEP3, which are lower affinity ammonium permeases, are not required for filamentous growth. Deltamep2 mutant strains had no defects in growth rates or ammonium uptake, even at limiting ammonium concentrations. The pseudohyphal defect of Deltamep2/Deltamep2 strains was suppressed by dominant active GPA2 or RAS2 mutations and by addition of exogenous cAMP, but was not suppressed by activated alleles of the MAP kinase pathway. Analysis of MEP1/MEP2 hybrid proteins identified a small intracellular loop of MEP2 involved in the pseudohyphal regulatory function. In addition, mutations in GLN3, URE2 and NPR1, which abrogate MEP2 expression or stability, also conferred pseudohyphal growth defects. We propose that MEP2 is an ammonium sensor, generating a signal to regulate filamentous growth in response to ammonium starvation"
Keywords:		Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases/physiology Carrier Proteins/chemistry/genetics/*physiology *Cation Transport Proteins Cyclic AMP/pharmacology Fungal Proteins/genetics/physiology *GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits GTP-Binding Proteins/genetic;
Notes:		"MedlineLorenz, M C Heitman, J eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 1998/04/18 EMBO J. 1998 Aug 10; 17(5):1236-47. doi: 10.1093/emboj/17.5.1236"