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Coordination of initiation of nuclear division and initiation of cell division in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: genetic interactions of mutations.

sep1+ encodes a Schizosaccharomyces pombe homolog of the HNF-3/forkhead family of the tissue-specific and developmental gene regulators identified in higher eukaryotes. Its mutant allele sep1-1 causes a defect in cytokinesis and confers a mycelial morphology. Here we report on genetic interactions of sep1-1 with the M-phase initiation mutations wee1-, cdc2-1w, and cdc25-22. The double mutants sep1-1 wee1- and sep1-1 cdc2-1w form dikaryon cells at high frequency, which is due to nuclear division in the absence of cell division. The dikaryosis is reversible and suppressible by cdc25-22. We propose that the genes wee1+, cdc2+, cdc25+, and sep1+ form a regulatory link between the initiation of mitosis and the initiation of cell division.

Actins↗

An oligoribonuclease gene in Streptomyces griseus.

In Streptomyces griseus, A-factor (2-isocapryloyl-3R-hydroxymethyl-gamma-butyrolactone) serves as a microbial hormone that switches on many genes required for streptomycin production and morphological development. An open reading frame (Orf1) showing high sequence similarity to oligoribonucleases of various origins is present just downstream of adpA, one of the A-factor-dependent genes. Orf1 was named OrnA (oligoribonuclease A) because it showed 3'-to-5' exo-oligoribonuclease activity, releasing [(32)P]CMP from ApCpC[(32)P]pC used as a substrate. Reverse transcription-PCR and S1 nuclease mapping analyses revealed that ornA was transcribed from two promoters; one was a developmentally regulated, A-factor-dependent promoter in front of adpA, and the other was a constitutive promoter in front of the ornA coding sequence. Transcription of ornA was thus additively enhanced at the initiation stage for secondary metabolism and aerial mycelium formation. ornA-disrupted strains grew slowly and scarcely formed aerial mycelium. ornA homologues were distributed in a wide variety of Streptomyces species, including S. coelicolor A3(2), as determined by Southern hybridization analysis. Disruption of the ornA homologue in S. coelicolor A3(2) also caused phenotypes similar to those of the S. griseus DeltaornA strains. The OrnA oligoribonucleases in Streptomyces species are therefore not essential but play an important role in vegetative growth and in the initiation of differentiation.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Comparison of DeltarelA strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium suggests a role for ppGpp in attenuation regulation of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis.

The growth recovery of Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DeltarelA mutants were compared after nutritional downshifts requiring derepression of the branched-chain amino acid pathways. Because wild-type E. coli K-12 and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 strains are defective in the expression of the genes encoding the branch point acetohydroxy acid synthetase II (ilvGM) and III (ilvIH) isozymes, respectively, DeltarelA derivatives corrected for these mutations were also examined. Results indicate that reduced expression of the known global regulatory factors involved in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis cannot completely explain the observed growth recovery defects of the DeltarelA strains. In the E. coli K-12 MG1655 DeltarelA background, correction of the preexisting rph-1 allele which causes pyrimidine limitations resulted in complete loss of growth recovery. S. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 DeltarelA strains were fully complemented by elevated basal ppGpp levels in an S. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 DeltarelA spoT1 mutant or in a strain harboring an RNA polymerase mutation conferring a reduced RNA chain elongation rate. The results are best explained by a dependence on the basal levels of ppGpp, which are determined by relA-dependent changes in tRNA synthesis resulting from amino acid starvations. Expression of the branched-chain amino acid operons is suggested to require changes in the RNA chain elongation rate of the RNA polymerase, which can be achieved either by elevation of the basal ppGpp levels or, in the case of the E. coli K-12 MG1655 strain, through pyrimidine limitations which partially compensate for reduced ppGpp levels. Roles for ppGpp in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis are discussed in terms of effects on the synthesis of known global regulatory proteins and current models for the control of global RNA synthesis by ppGpp.

Acetolactate Synthase↗

A glimpse into the expanded genome content of Vibrio cholerae through identification of genes present in environmental strains.

Vibrio cholerae has multiple survival strategies which are reflected both in its broad distribution in many aquatic environments and its high genotypic diversity. To obtain additional information regarding the content of the V. cholerae genome, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to prepare libraries of DNA sequences from two southern California coastal isolates which are divergent or absent in the clinical strain V. cholerae O1 El Tor N16961. More than 1,400 subtracted clones were sequenced. This revealed the presence of novel sequences encoding functions related to cell surface structures, transport, metabolism, signal transduction, luminescence, mobile elements, stress resistance, and virulence. Flanking sequence information was determined for loci of interest, and the distribution of these sequences was assessed for a collection of V. cholerae strains obtained from southern California and Mexican environments. This led to the surprising observation that sequences related to the toxin genes toxA, cnf1, and exoY are widespread and more common in these strains than those of the cholera toxin genes which are a hallmark of the pandemic strains of V. cholerae. Gene transfer among these strains could be facilitated by a 4.9-kbp plasmid discovered in one isolate, which possesses similarity to plasmids from other environmental vibrios. By investigating some of the nucleotide sequence basis for V. cholerae genotypic diversity, DNA fragments have been uncovered which could promote survival in coastal environments. Furthermore, a set of genes has been described which could be involved in as yet undiscovered interactions between V. cholerae and eukaryotic organisms.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Mechanism of action of Moloney murine leukemia virus RNase H III.

The mechanism of action of Moloney murine leukemia virus RNase H III was studied, utilizing the model substrate (A)n. (dT)n and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to assay enzyme activity. Examination by electrophoresis on 15% polyacrylamide gels in 7 M urea and on DEAE-cellulose paper in 7 M urea revealed that, early in a reaction with [3H](A)n. (dT)n as substrate, RNase H III generated products ranging in length from 80 to 90 nucleotides to less than 10 nucleotides and that after extended incubation the limit digest products generated were 3 to 15 nucleotides long. Product oligomers were of the following configuration: [5'-P, 3'-OH](A)n. RNase H III was shown to be an exonuclease requiring free ends in its substrate for activity by the inability to degrade RNA inserted in Escherichia coli ColE1 plasmid DNA. The enzyme was capable of attacking RNA in RNA-DNA hybrids in the 5' to 3' and 3' to 5' directions as demonstrated by the use of [3H, 5'-32P](A)600. (dT)n and cellulose-[3H](A)n. (dT)n. Rnase H III was random in its mode of action because addition of excess unlabeled (A)n. (dT)n to an ongoing reaction with [3H](A)n. (dT)n as substrate resulted in immediate inhibition of enzyme activity.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

DNA strand exchange catalyzed by proteins from vaccinia virus-infected cells.

Vaccinia virus infection induces expression of a protein which can catalyze joint molecule formation between a single-stranded circular DNA and a homologous linear duplex. The kinetics of appearance of the enzyme parallels that of vaccinia virus DNA polymerase and suggests it is an early viral gene product. Extracts were prepared from vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells, and the strand exchange assay was used to follow purification of this activity through five chromatographic steps. The most highly purified fraction contained three major polypeptides of 110 +/- 10, 52 +/- 5, and 32 +/- 3 kDa. The purified protein requires Mg2+ for activity, and this requirement cannot be satisfied by Mn2+ or Ca2+. One end of the linear duplex substrate must share homology with the single-stranded circle, although this homology requirement is not very high, as 10% base substitutions had no effect on the overall efficiency of pairing. As with many other eukaryotic strand exchange proteins, there was no requirement for ATP, and ATP analogs were not inhibitors. Electron microscopy was used to show that the joint molecules formed in these reactions were composed of a partially duplex circle of DNA bearing a displaced single-strand and a duplex linear tail. The recovery of these structures shows that the enzyme catalyzes true strand exchange. There is also a unique polarity to the strand exchange reaction. The enzyme pairs the 3' end of the duplex minus strand with the plus-stranded homolog, thus extending hybrid DNA in a 3'-to-5' direction with respect to the minus strand. Which viral gene (if any) encodes the enzyme is not yet known, but analysis of temperature-sensitive mutants shows that activity does not require the D5R gene product. Curiously, v-SEP appears to copurify with vaccinia virus DNA polymerase, although the activities can be partially resolved on phosphocellulose columns.

DNA Replication↗

Interferon regulatory factor 3 is necessary for induction of antiviral genes during human cytomegalovirus infection.

Viral infection activates interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), a cofactor for the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The role of IRF3 in the activation of ISGs by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is controversial despite the fact that HCMV has consistently been shown to induce ISGs during infection of fibroblasts. To address the function of IRF3 in HCMV-mediated ISG induction, we monitored ISG expression and global gene expression in HCMV-infected cells in which IRF3 function had been depleted by small interfering RNA or blocked by dominant negative IRF3. A specific reduction of ISG induction was observed, whereas other transcripts were unaffected. We therefore conclude that IRF3 specifically regulates ISG induction during the initial phase of HCMV infection.

Cytomegalovirus↗

A novel plasmid-based microarray screen identifies suppressors of rrp6Delta in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Genetic screens in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provide novel information about interacting genes and pathways. We screened for high-copy-number suppressors of a strain with the gene encoding the nuclear exosome component Rrp6p deleted, with either a traditional plate screen for suppressors of rrp6Delta temperature sensitivity or a novel microarray enhancer/suppressor screening (MES) strategy. MES combines DNA microarray technology with high-copy-number plasmid expression in liquid media. The plate screen and MES identified overlapping, but also different, suppressor genes. Only MES identified the novel mRNP protein Nab6p and the tRNA transporter Los1p, which could not have been identified in a traditional plate screen; both genes are toxic when overexpressed in rrp6Delta strains at 37 degrees C. Nab6p binds poly(A)+ RNA, and the functions of Nab6p and Los1p suggest that mRNA metabolism and/or protein synthesis are growth rate limiting in rrp6Delta strains. Microarray analyses of gene expression in rrp6Delta strains and a number of suppressor strains support this hypothesis.

Down-Regulation↗

The fission yeast dis3+ gene encodes a 110-kDa essential protein implicated in mitotic control.

The fission yeast mutant dis3-54 is defective in mitosis and fails in chromosome disjunction. Its phenotype is similar to that of dis2-11, a mutant with a mutation in the type 1 protein phosphatase gene. We cloned the dis3+ gene by transformation. Nucleotide sequencing predicts a coding region of 970 amino acids interrupted by a 164-bp intron at the 65th codon. The predicted dis3+ protein shares a weak but significant similarity with the budding yeast SSD1 or SRK1 gene product, the gene for which is a suppressor for the absence of a protein phosphatase SIT4 gene or the BCY1 regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Anti-dis3 antibodies recognized the 110-kDa dis3+ gene product, which is part of a 250- to 350-kDa oligomer and is enriched in the nucleus. The cellular localization of the dis3+ protein is reminiscent of that of the dis2+ protein, but these two proteins do not form a complex. A type 1 protein phosphatase activity in the dis3-54 mutant extracts is apparently not affected. The dis3+ gene is essential for growth; gene disruptant cells do not germinate and fail in cell division. Increased dis3+ gene dosage reverses the Ts+ phenotype of a cdc25 wee1 strain, as does increased type 1 protein phosphatase gene dosage. Double mutant dis3 dis2 is lethal even at the permissive temperature, suggesting that the dis2+ and dis3+ genes may be functionally overlapped. The role of the dis3+ gene product in mitosis is unknown, but this gene product may be directly or indirectly involved in the regulation of mitosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of DST2, the gene for DNA strand transfer protein beta from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The gene encoding the 180-kDa DNA strand transfer protein beta from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified and sequenced. This gene, DST2 (DNA strand transferase 2), was located on chromosome VII. dst2 gene disruption mutants exhibited temperature-sensitive sporulation and a 50% longer generation time during vegetative growth than did the wild type. Spontaneous mitotic recombination in the mutants was reduced severalfold for both intrachromosomal recombination and intragenic gene conversion. The mutants also had reduced levels of the intragenic recombination that is induced during meiosis. Meiotic recombinants were, however, somewhat unstable in the mutants, with a decrease in recombinants and survival upon prolonged incubation in sporulation media. spo13 or spo13 rad50 mutations did not relieve the sporulation defect of dst2 mutations. A dst1 dst2 double mutant has the same phenotype as a dst2 single mutant. All phenotypes associated with the dst2 mutations could be complemented by a plasmid containing DST2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular and genetic analysis of the gene encoding the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strand exchange protein Sep1.

Vegetatively grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells contain an activity that promotes a number of homologous pairing reactions. A major portion of this activity is due to strand exchange protein 1 (Sep1), which was originally purified as a 132,000-Mr species (R. Kolodner, D. H. Evans, and P. T. Morrison, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:5560-5564, 1987). The gene encoding Sep1 was cloned, and analysis of the cloned gene revealed a 4,587-bp open reading frame capable of encoding a 175,000-Mr protein. The protein encoded by this open reading frame was overproduced and purified and had a relative molecular weight of approximately 160,000. The 160,000-Mr protein was at least as active in promoting homologous pairing as the original 132,000-Mr species, which has been shown to be a fragment of the intact 160,000-Mr Sep1 protein. The SEP1 gene mapped to chromosome VII within 20 kbp of RAD54. Three Tn10LUK insertion mutations in the SEP1 gene were characterized. sep1 mutants grew more slowly than wild-type cells, showed a two- to fivefold decrease in the rate of spontaneous mitotic recombination between his4 heteroalleles, and were delayed in their ability to return to growth after UV or gamma irradiation. Sporulation of sep1/sep1 diploids was defective, as indicated by both a 10- to 40-fold reduction in spore formation and reduced spore viability of approximately 50%. The majority of sep1/sep1 diploid cells arrested in meiosis after commitment to recombination but prior to the meiosis I cell division. Return-to-growth experiments showed that sep1/sep1 his4X/his4B diploids exhibited a five- to sixfold greater meiotic induction of His+ recombinants than did isogenic SEP1/SEP1 strains. sep1/sep1 mutants also showed an increased frequency of exchange between HIS4, LEU2, and MAT and a lack of positive interference between these markers compared with wild-type controls. The interaction between sep1, rad50, and spo13 mutations suggested that SEP1 acts in meiosis in a pathway that is parallel to the RAD50 pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

TAP1, a yeast gene that activates the expression of a tRNA gene with a defective internal promoter.

We developed a genetic selection system based on nonsense suppression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify mutations in proteins involved in transcription initiation by RNA polymerase III. A SUP4 tRNA(Tyr) internal promoter mutation (A53T61) that was unable to suppress ochre mutations in vivo and was incapable of binding TFIIIC in vitro was used as the target for selection of trans-acting compensatory mutations. We identified two such mutations in the same gene, which we named TAP1 (for transcription activation protein). The level of the SUP4A53T61 transcript was threefold higher in the tap1-1 mutant than in the wild type. The tap1-1 mutant strain was also temperature sensitive for growth. The thermosensitive character cosegregated with the restorer of suppression activity, as shown by meiotic linkage analysis and coreversion of the two traits. At 1 to 2 h after a shift to the restrictive temperature, RNA synthesis was strongly inhibited in the tap1-1 mutant, preceding any effect upon protein synthesis or growth. A marked decrease in tRNA and 5S rRNA synthesis was seen, and shortly after that, rRNA synthesis was inhibited. By complementation of the ts- growth defect, we cloned the wild-type TAP1 gene. It is essential for yeast growth. We show in the accompanying report (T. L. Aldrich, G. Di Segni, B. L. McConaughy, N. J. Keen, S. Whelen, and B. D. Hall, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:3434-3444, 1993) that TAP1 is identical to RAT1, a yeast gene implicated in poly(A)+ RNA export and that the TAP1/RAT1 gene product has extensive sequence similarity to the protein encoded by another yeast gene (variously named DST2, KEM1, RAR5, SEP1, or XRN1) having exonuclease and DNA strand transfer activity (reviewed by Kearsey and Kipling [Trends Cell Biol. 1:110-112, 1991]).

Alleles↗

Structure of the yeast TAP1 protein: dependence of transcription activation on the DNA context of the target gene.

Sequence data are presented for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae TAP1 gene and for a mutant allele, tap1-1, that activates transcription of the promoter-defective yeast SUP4 tRNA(Tyr) allele SUP4A53T61. The degree of in vivo activation of this allele by tap1-1 is strongly affected by the nature of the flanking DNA sequences at 5'-flanking DNA sequences as far away as 413 bp from the tRNA gene and by 3'-flanking sequences as well. We considered the possibility that this dependency is related to the nature of the chromatin assembled on these different flanking sequences. TAP1 encodes a protein 1,006 amino acids long. The tap1-1 mutation consists of a thymine-to-cytosine DNA change that changes amino acid 683 from tyrosine to histidine. Recently, Amberg et al. reported the cloning and sequencing of RAT1, a yeast gene identical to TAP1, by complementation of a mutant defect in poly(A) RNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm (D. C. Amberg, A. L. Goldstein, and C. N. Cole, Genes Dev. 6:1173-1189, 1992). The RAT1/TAP1 gene product has extensive sequence similarity to a yeast DNA strand transfer protein that is also a riboexonuclease (variously known as KEM1, XRN1, SEP1, DST2, or RAR5; reviewed by Kearsey and Kipling [Trends Cell Biol. 1:110-112, 1991]). The tap1-1 amino acid substitution affects a region of the protein in which KEM1 and TAP1 are highly similar in sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two FK506 resistance-conferring genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TAT1 and TAT2, encode amino acid permeases mediating tyrosine and tryptophan uptake.

The macrocyclic lactone FK506 exerts immunosuppressive effects on T lymphocytes by interfering with signal transduction leading to T-cell activation and also inhibits the growth of eukaryotic microorganisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We reported previously that an FK506-sensitive target in S. cerevisiae is required for amino acid import and that overexpression of two new genes, TAT1 and TAT2 (formerly called TAP1 and TAP2), confers resistance to the drug. Here we report that TAT1 and TAT2 encode novel members of the yeast amino acid permease family composed of integral membrane proteins that share 30 to 40% identity. TAT1 is the tyrosine high-affinity transporter, which also mediates low-affinity or low-capacity uptake of tryptophan. TAT2 is the tryptophan high-affinity transporter. FK506 does not reduce the levels of TAT1 and TAT2 transcripts, indicating that the inhibition of amino acid transport by the drug is posttranscriptional.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Turnover mechanisms of the stable yeast PGK1 mRNA.

The first step in the decay of several yeast mRNAs is the shortening of the poly(A) tail, which for the MFA2 transcript triggers decapping and 5'-to-3' degradation. To understand the basis for differences in mRNA decay rates, it is important to determine if deadenylation-dependent decapping is specific to the unstable MFA2 transcript or is a general mechanism of mRNA degradation. To this end, we analyzed the turnover of the stable PGK1 mRNA by monitoring the decay of a pulse of newly synthesized transcripts while using two strategies to trap decay intermediates. First, we used strains deleted for the XRN1 gene, which encodes a major 5'-to-3' exonuclease in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In xrn1 delta cells, PGK1 transcripts lacking the 5' cap structure and a few nucleotides at the 5' end were detected after deadenylation. Second, we inserted into the PGK1 5' untranslated region strong RNA secondary structures, which can slow exonucleolytic digestion and thereby trap decay intermediates. These secondary structures led to the accumulation of PGK1 mRNA fragments, following deadenylation, trimmed from the 5' end to the site of the secondary structure. The insertion of strong secondary structures into the 5' untranslated region also inhibited translation of the mRNA and greatly stimulated the decay of the PGK1 transcripts, suggesting that translation of the PGK1 mRNA is required for its normally slow rate of decay. These results suggest that one mechanism of degradation of the PGK1 transcript is deadenylation followed by decapping and subsequent 5'-to-3' exonucleolytic degradation. In addition, by blocking the 5'-to-3' degradation process, we observed PGK1 mRNA fragments that are consistent with a 3'-to-5' pathway of mRNA turnover that is slightly slower than the decapping/5'-to-3' decay pathway. These observations indicate that there are multiple mechanisms by which an individual transcript can be degraded following deadenylation.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Regulation and intracellular localization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strand exchange protein 1 (Sep1/Xrn1/Kem1), a multifunctional exonuclease.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strand exchange protein 1 (Sep1; also referred to as Xrn1, Kem1, Rar5, or Stp beta) catalyzes the formation of hybrid DNA from model substrates in vitro. The protein is also a 5'-to-3' exonuclease active on DNA and RNA. Multiple roles for the in vivo function of Sep1, ranging from DNA recombination and cytoskeleton to RNA turnover, have been proposed. We show that Sep1 is an abundant protein in vegetative S. cerevisiae cells, present at about 80,000 molecules per diploid cell. Protein levels were not changed during the cell cycle or in response to DNA-damaging agents but increased twofold during meiosis. Cell fractionation and indirect immunofluorescence studies indicated that > 90% of Sep1 was cytoplasmic in vegetative cells, and indirect immunofluorescence indicated a cytoplasmic localization in meiotic cells as well. The localization supports the proposal that Sep1 has a role in cytoplasmic RNA metabolism. Anti-Sep1 monoclonal antibodies detected cross-reacting antigens in the fission yeast Schizosccharomyces pombe, in Drosophila melanogaster embryos, in Xenopus laevis, and in a mouse pre-B-cell line.

Animals↗

Identification of a mouse protein whose homolog in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a component of the CCR4 transcriptional regulatory complex.

The CCR4 protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a component of a multisubunit complex that is required for the regulation of a number of genes in yeast cells. We report here the identification of a mouse protein (mCAF1 [mouse CCR4-associated factor 1]) which is capable of interacting with and binding to the yeast CCR4 protein. The mCAF1 protein was shown to have significant similarity to proteins from humans, Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis thaliana, and S. cerevisiae. The yeast gene (yCAF1) had been previously cloned as the POP2 gene, which is required for expression of several genes. Both yCAF1 (POP2) and the C. elegans homolog of CAF1 were shown to genetically interact with CCR4 in vivo, and yCAF1 (POP2) physically associated with CCR4. Disruption of the CAF1 (POP2) gene in yeast cells gave phenotypes and defects in transcription similar to those observed with disruptions of CCR4, including the ability to suppress spt10-enhanced ADH2 expression. In addition, yCAF1 (POP2) when fused to LexA was capable of activating transcription. mCAF1 could also activate transcription when fused to LexA and could functionally substitute for yCAF1 in allowing ADH2 expression in an spt10 mutant background. These data imply that CAF1 is a component of the CCR4 protein complex and that this complex has retained evolutionarily conserved functions important to eukaryotic transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PAN3 encodes a subunit of the Pab1p-dependent poly(A) nuclease in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Pab1p-dependent poly(A) nuclease (PAN) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae copurifies with polypeptides of approximately 127 and 76 kDa. Previously, it was demonstrated that the 127-kDa Pan2 protein is required for PAN activity (R. Boeck, S. Tarun, M. Reiger, J. Deardorff, S. Müller-Auer, and A.B. Sachs, J. Biol. Chem. 271:432-438, 1996). Here we demonstrate that the 76-kDa protein, encoded by the nonessential PAN3 gene, is also required for enzymatic activity. Deletion of PAN3 resulted in the loss of PAN activity in yeast extracts, and immunodepletion of Pan3p from purified PAN fractions abolished enzymatic activity. We show by coimmunoprecipitation and directed two-hybrid studies that the Pan2 and Pan3 proteins physically interact. In addition, we demonstrate that a deletion of PAN2, PAN3, or both resulted in similar increases in mRNA poly(A) tail lengths in vivo. These data strongly suggest that both Pan2p and Pan3p are required subunits of the PAN enzyme and that PAN functions in vivo to shorten mRNA poly(A) tails.

Amino Acid Sequence↗