Name: genetic studies of human dna repair proteins using yeast as a model system
Uploaded: 2010-03-18T15:45:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System at JoVE.com

This work was supported in full by the Intramural Research program of the NIH, National Institute on Aging. We thank Dr. Rodney Rothstein (Columbia University) for the yeast strains and Dr. Brad Johnson (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) for the SGS1 expression plasmid.

1. Yeast Strains
Strains with wild-type SGS1 TOP3 (WT; W303-1A, genotype, MATa ade2-1 canl- 100 his3-11,15 leu2-3,112 trpl-l ura3-1) [2], a sgs1 mutant (W1292-3C; genotype MATa SUP4-o::URA3 sgs1-25 ade2-1 can1-100 his3-11,15 leu2-3,112 trp1-1 ura3-1 rad5-535) and a sgs1 top3 mutant ( W1058-11C, genotype, MATa SUP4-o::UR...

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	<li>Aggarwal, M., Brosh, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=WRN+helicase+defective+in+the+premature+aging+disorder+Werner+Syndrome+genetically+interacts+with+Topoisomerase+3+and+restores+the+top3+slow+growth+phenotype+of+sgs1+top3.">WRN helicase defective in the premature aging disorder Werner Syndrome genetically interacts with Topoisomerase 3 and restores the top3 slow growth phenotype of sgs1 top3.</a> Aging. 1, 219-233 (2009).</li><li>Gangloff, S., McDonald, J. P., Bendixen, C., Arthur, L., Rothstein, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+yeast+type+I+topoisomerase+Top3+interacts+with+Sgs1,+a+DNA+helicase+homolog:+a+potential+eukaryotic+reverse+gyrase.">The yeast type I topoisomerase Top3 interacts with Sgs1, a DNA helicase homolog: a potential eukaryotic reverse gyrase.</a> Mol Cell Biol. 14, 8391-8398 (1994).</li><li>Shor, E., Gangloff, S., Wagner, M., Weinstein, J., Price, G., Rothstein, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mutations+in+homologous+recombination+genes+rescue+top3+slow+growth+in+Saccharomyces+cerevisiae.">Mutations in homologous recombination genes rescue top3 slow growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.</a> Genetics. 162, 647-662 (2002).</li><li>Sharma, S., Sommers, J. A., Brosh, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+function+of+the+conserved+non-catalytic+domain+of+Werner+syndrome+helicase+in+DNA+replication.">In vivo function of the conserved non-catalytic domain of Werner syndrome helicase in DNA replication.</a> Hum Mol Genet. 13, 2247-2261 (2004).</li><li>Gietz, R. D., Schiestl, R. H., Willems, A. R., Woods, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+on+the+transformation+of+intact+yeast+cells+by+the+LiAc/SS-DNA/PEG+procedure.">Studies on the transformation of intact yeast cells by the LiAc/SS-DNA/PEG procedure.</a> Yeast. 11, 355-360 (1995).</li><li>von Kobbe, C., Thoma, N. H., Czyzewski, B. K., Pavletich, N. P., Bohr, V. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Werner+syndrome+protein+contains+three+structure+specific+DNA+binding+domains.">Werner syndrome protein contains three structure specific DNA binding domains.</a> J Biol Chem. 278, 52997-53006 (2003).</li></ol>

One of the strengths of using yeast as a model system is the availability of mutants in defined DNA replication and repair pathways that are conserved between yeast and humans. Further selection of transformants harboring the specific genes is easy and reliable as the laboratory strains are auxotrophic mutants and vectors with auxotrophic markers are readily available. Using these vectors the expression of gene products can be regulated by placing them under the control of an inducible promoter (e.g., gal inducible prom...

genetic studies of human dna repair proteins using yeast as a model system 

Understanding the roles of human DNA repair proteins in genetic pathways is a formidable challenge to many researchers. Genetic studies in mammalian systems have been limited due to the lack of readily available tools including defined mutant genetic cell lines, regulatory expression systems, and appropriate selectable markers. To circumvent these difficulties, model genetic systems in lower eukaryotes have become an attractive choice for the study of functionally conserved DNA repair proteins and pathways. We have developed a model yeast system to study the poorly defined genetic functions of the Werner syndrome helicase-nuclease (WRN) in nucleic acid metabolism. Cellular phenotypes associated with defined genetic mutant backgrounds can be investigated to clarify the cellular and molecular functions of WRN through its catalytic activities and protein interactions. The human WRN gene and associated variants, cloned into DNA plasmids for expression in yeast, can be placed under the control of a regulatory plasmid element. The expression construct can then be transformed into the appropriate yeast mutant background, and genetic function assayed by a variety of methodologies. Using this approach, we determined that WRN, like its related RecQ family members BLM and Sgs1, operates in a Top3-dependent pathway that is likely to be important for genomic stability. This is described in our recent publication [1] at <a href="http://www.impactaging.com">www.impactaging.com</a>. Detailed methods of specific assays for genetic complementation studies in yeast are provided in this paper.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System at JoVE.com

Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System

Genetic studies in yeast can be employed to investigate the molecular and cellular functions of human genes in cellular DNA metabolism. Methods are described for the genetic characterization of the human WRN gene product defective in the premature aging disorder Werner syndrome in functionally conserved pathways using yeast as a tractable model system.

Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System 

Understanding the roles of human DNA repair proteins in genetic pathways is a formidable challenge to many researchers.  Genetic studies in mammalian ...

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