Rereplication Phenomenon in Fission Yeast Requires MCM Proteins and Other S Phase Genes

Corresponding author: Susan L. Forsburg, Molecular Biology and Virology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037-1099., forsburg{at}salk.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: P. G. YOUNG

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe can be induced to perform multiple rounds of DNA replication without intervening mitoses by manipulating the activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase p34^cdc2. We have examined the role in this abnormal rereplication of a large panel of genes known to be involved in normal S phase. The genes analyzed can be grouped into four classes: (1) those that have no effect on rereplication, (2) others that delay DNA accumulation, (3) several that allow a gradual increase in DNA content but not in genome equivalents, and finally, (4) mutations that completely block rereplication. The rereplication induced by overexpression of the CDK inhibitor Rum1p or depletion of the Cdc13p cyclin is essentially the same and requires the activity of two minor B-type cyclins, cig1⁺ and cig2⁺. In particular, the level, composition, and localization of the MCM protein complex does not alter during rereplication. Thus rereplication in fission yeast mimics the DNA synthesis of normal S phase, and the inability to rereplicate provides an excellent assay for novel S-phase mutants.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Dischinger, A. Krapp, L. Xie, J. R. Paulson, and V. Simanis Chemical genetic analysis of the regulatory role of Cdc2p in the S. pombe septation initiation network J. Cell Sci., March 15, 2008; 121(6): 843 - 853. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Weisman, I. Roitburg, M. Schonbrun, R. Harari, and M. Kupiec Opposite Effects of Tor1 and Tor2 on Nitrogen Starvation Responses in Fission Yeast Genetics, March 1, 2007; 175(3): 1153 - 1162. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. B. Gomez, V. T. Angeles, and S. L. Forsburg A Screen for Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mutants Defective in Rereplication Identifies New Alleles of rad4+, cut9+ and psf2+ Genetics, January 1, 2005; 169(1): 77 - 89. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Forsburg Eukaryotic MCM Proteins: Beyond Replication Initiation Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., March 1, 2004; 68(1): 109 - 131. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. A. Snaith, G. W. Brown, and S. L. Forsburg Schizosaccharomyces pombe Hsk1p Is a Potential Cds1p Target Required for Genome Integrity Mol. Cell. Biol., November 1, 2000; 20(21): 7922 - 7932. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. G. Pasion and S. L. Forsburg Nuclear Localization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mcm2/Cdc19p Requires MCM Complex Assembly Mol. Biol. Cell, December 1, 1999; 10(12): 4043 - 4057. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				R. Weisman and M. Choder The Fission Yeast TOR Homolog, tor1+, Is Required for the Response to Starvation and Other Stresses via a Conserved Serine J. Biol. Chem., March 2, 2001; 276(10): 7027 - 7032. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Weisman, S. Finkelstein, and M. Choder Rapamycin Blocks Sexual Development in Fission Yeast through Inhibition of the Cellular Function of an FKBP12 Homolog J. Biol. Chem., June 29, 2001; 276(27): 24736 - 24742. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]