Name: gene-targeted random mutagenesis to select heterochromatin-destabilizing proteasome mutants in fission yeast
Uploaded: 2018-05-15T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Gene-targeted Random Mutagenesis to Select Heterochromatin-destabilizing Proteasome Mutants in Fission Yeast at JoVE.com

Funding support for this project was provided by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (2016R1A2B2006354).

1. Preparation of Media
<ol>
	<li>Prepare Yeast Extract with supplements (YES), YES without adenine (YES Low Ade), Pombe Glutamate medium (PMG12), and PMG without adenine (PMG-Ade) by mixing the components as described in Table 1. YES-Ade (Low Ade) and PMG-Ade plates have all of the same components, but the adenine is omitted from the latter.
	<ol>
		<li>Use the following salt (50x) stock: 52.5 g/L MgCl2&#183;6H2O, 2 g/L CaCl2&#183;2H2...

<ol>
	<li>Pritchard, L., Corne, D., Kell, D., Rowland, J., Winson, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+general+model+of+error-prone+PCR.">A general model of error-prone PCR.</a> J Theor Biol. 234 (4), 497-509 (2005).</li><li>Pfeifer, G. P., You, Y. H., Besaratinia, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mutations+induced+by+ultraviolet+light.">Mutations induced by ultraviolet light.</a> Mutat Res. 571 (1-2), 19-31 (2005).</li><li>Moreno, S., Klar, A., Nurse, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+genetic+analysis+of+fission+yeast+Schizosaccharomyces+pombe.">Molecular genetic analysis of fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.</a> Methods Enzymol. 194, 795-823 (1991).</li><li>Selifonova, O., Valle, F., Schellenberger, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+evolution+of+novel+traits+in+microorganisms.">Rapid evolution of novel traits in microorganisms.</a> Appl Environ Microbiol. 67 (8), 3645-3649 (2001).</li><li>Cohen, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+DNA+shuffling+works.">How DNA shuffling works.</a> Science. 293 (5528), 237 (2001).</li><li>Sahu, P. P., Sharma, N., Puranik, S., Chakraborty, S., Prasad, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tomato+26S+Proteasome+subunit+RPT4a+regulates+ToLCNDV+transcription+and+activates+hypersensitive+response+in+tomato.">Tomato 26S Proteasome subunit RPT4a regulates ToLCNDV transcription and activates hypersensitive response in tomato.</a> Sci Rep. 6, 27078 (2016).</li><li>Xu, Q., Singer, R. A., Johnston, G. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sug1+modulates+yeast+transcription+activation+by+Cdc68.">Sug1 modulates yeast transcription activation by Cdc68.</a> Mol Cell Biol. 15 (11), 6025-6035 (1995).</li><li>Bhat, K. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+19S+proteasome+ATPase+Sug1+plays+a+critical+role+in+regulating+MHC+class+II+transcription.">The 19S proteasome ATPase Sug1 plays a critical role in regulating MHC class II transcription.</a> Mol Immunol. 45 (8), 2214-2224 (2008).</li><li>Chang, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Gal4+activation+domain+binds+Sug2+protein,+a+proteasome+component,+in+vivo+and+in+vitro.">The Gal4 activation domain binds Sug2 protein, a proteasome component, in vivo and in vitro.</a> J Biol Chem. 276 (33), 30956-30963 (2001).</li><li>Ekwall, K., Cranston, G., Allshire, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fission+yeast+mutants+that+alleviate+transcriptional+silencing+in+centromeric+flanking+repeats+and+disrupt+chromosome+segregation.">Fission yeast mutants that alleviate transcriptional silencing in centromeric flanking repeats and disrupt chromosome segregation.</a> Genetics. 153 (3), 1153-1169 (1999).</li><li>Grewal, S. I., Jia, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterochromatin+revisited.">Heterochromatin revisited.</a> Nat Rev Genet. 8 (1), 35-46 (2007).</li><li>Forsburg, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Forsburg Lab Recipes: Fission Yeast Media. , (2011).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> QIAquick PCR Purification Kit. , (2013).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> pBlueScript II Vector. , (2005).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit. , (2013).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> QuickGene SP Kit Plasmid Kit II (SP-PL2). , (2016).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> PfuUltra High-fidelity DNA Polymerase. , (2004).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Gibson Assembly Master Mix. , (2017).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> GeneMorph II Random Mutagenesis Kits. , (2012).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Plasmid Plus Midi Kit. , (1999).</li><li>Bahler, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterologous+modules+for+efficient+and+versatile+PCR-based+gene+targeting+in+Schizosaccharomyces+pombe.">Heterologous modules for efficient and versatile PCR-based gene targeting in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.</a> Yeast. 14 (10), 943-951 (1998).</li><li>Szewczyk, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fusion+PCR+and+gene+targeting+in+Aspergillus+nidulans.">Fusion PCR and gene targeting in Aspergillus nidulans.</a> Nat Protoc. 1 (6), 3111-3120 (2006).</li><li>Nurse, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Fission Yeast Handbook. , (2000).</li><li>Seo, H. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+19S+proteasome+is+directly+involved+in+the+regulation+of+heterochromatin+spreading+in+fission+yeast.">The 19S proteasome is directly involved in the regulation of heterochromatin spreading in fission yeast.</a> J Biol Chem. , (2017).</li><li>Tang, N. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+and+characterisation+of+temperature+sensitive+mutants+of+genes+encoding+the+fission+yeast+spindle+pole+body.">Generation and characterisation of temperature sensitive mutants of genes encoding the fission yeast spindle pole body.</a> PeerJ Preprints. 5, e3377v3371 (2017).</li><li>Rasooly, A., Weisz, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+antibacterial+activities+of+phloxine+B+and+other+halogenated+fluoresceins+against+methicillin-resistant+Staphylococcus+aureus.">In vitro antibacterial activities of phloxine B and other halogenated fluoresceins against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.</a> Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 46 (11), 3650-3653 (2002).</li><li>Wilson, D. S., Keefe, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Random+mutagenesis+by+PCR.">Random mutagenesis by PCR.</a> Curr Protoc Mol Biol. , (2001).</li></ol>

Random mutagenesis via error-prone PCR is a powerful tool for generating a diverse pool of mutants in a given region. This technique is especially useful for studies that seek to assess the function of a protein under a specific circumstance. For example, we herein used error-prone PCR to assess the function of the 19S proteasome subunit, Rpt4, in heterochromatin maintenance. By varying the region targeted by the error-prone PCR and adjusting the screening conditions, we were able to mutate cells at the genomic region of...

Forward genetics is a classical method in which researchers seek naturally occurring mutants that display a particular phenotype, and perform genetic analyses. In reverse genetics, mutations are introduced into a gene of interest and the phenotype is examined. In the latter case, random mutagenesis of a target gene is often used to generate a pool of mutants that are subsequently selected for desired phenotypes, such as temperature sensitivity or altered enzymatic activity. Various methods may be used to achieve random mutagenesis, including error-prone PCR1; UV irradiation2; chemical mutagens, such as ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) or nitrous acid3; the use of temporary mutator strains, such as those over-expressing mutD5 4; and DNA shuffling5.
Here, we describe a reverse-genetics strategy in which we utilize error-prone PCR to generate mutant pools for a target gene in the fission yeast. As one might guess from its name, this method generates mutations by deliberately introducing errors during PCR. Unlike other mutagenesis methods, error-prone PCR allows the user to define the region to be mutagenized. This makes it particularly useful in efforts to study the function of a protein/domain of interest.
To demonstrate this random mutagenesis procedure, we herein use rpt4+, which encodes the 19S proteasome subunit, as an example. Rpt4 has been shown to have proteolysis-independent functions in organisms other than fission yeast6,7,8,9, and a defect in proteolysis could cause indirect effects by altering proteins levels. We, therefore, screened for mutants that triggered proteolysis-independent changes, with the goal of investigating the function of the proteasome on heterochromatin.
Error-prone PCR can be applied to any gene region by tuning the location at which the primers bind. Mutants that exhibit the desired phenotypic change can be identified with appropriate reporters. Here, we utilized an ade6+ reporter inserted at the centromere 1 outer repeat (otr) region10. Constitutive heterochromatin is formed at this region11, so the ade6+ reporter is silenced in the wild-type condition; this is indicated by red colonies10. A mutation that destabilizes the constitutive heterochromatin at the centromere will lead to the expression of the ade6+ reporter, which is visualized as white colonies.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="825">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:267px;">1. Media</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:285px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">G8270-10KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Yeast extract</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">212720</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">L-Leucine</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">87070-0310</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Adenine sulfate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">ACR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">16363-0250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Uracil&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">U0750</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">L-Histidine</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">H8125</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">KH2PO4</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1.05108.0050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">19015-0350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">MgSO4&#8226;7H2O</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">63140</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">12095</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Potassium phthalate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P6758-500g</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Inositol</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">I7508-50G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Biotin</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B4501-100MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Boric Acid</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B6768-1KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">MnSO4</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">M7634-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">ZnSO4&#8226;7H2O&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">83060-031</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">FeCl2&#8226;4H2O</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">KANTO</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">CB8943686</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Sodium molybdate dihydrate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">YAKURI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">31621</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">KI</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">80090-0301</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">CuSO4&#8226;5H2O</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">YAKURI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">09605</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">D-myo-inositol</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">MP biomedicals</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">102052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Pantothenate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">YAKURI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">26003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Nicotinic Acid</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">N4126-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">(NH4)2SO4&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A4418-100G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Agarose</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Biobasic</td>
			<td>D0012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">G418, geneticin</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">LPS</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">G41805</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:267px;">2. Enzyme reactions</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">PfuUltra II Fusion HS DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Aglient</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">600380</td>
			<td>For site-directed mutagenesis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">GeneMorphII Random mutagenesis Kit</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Aglient</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">200500</td>
			<td>For error-prone PCR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Phusion High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>F-530L</td>
			<td>For fusion PCR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Ex Taq&#160;DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Takara</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">RR001b</td>
			<td>For general PCR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">BamH1</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">New England BioLabs</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">R0136S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Xho1</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>R0146S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Dpn1</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">New England BioLabs</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">R0176S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:267px;">3. Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Velveteen square, black</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">89033-116</td>
			<td>For replica</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Replica-plating tool</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25395-380</td>
			<td>For replica</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">MicroPulser Electroporator</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Biorad</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1652100&#160;</td>
			<td>For fission yeast transformation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Electroporation Cuvettes, 0.2 cm gap</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Biorad</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1652086&#160;</td>
			<td>For fission yeast transformation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Thermal Cycler</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Bioer</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BYQ6078</td>
			<td>For fusion PCR ramp reaction&#160;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

gene-targeted random mutagenesis to select heterochromatin-destabilizing proteasome mutants in fission yeast

Random mutagenesis of a target gene is commonly used to identify mutations that yield the desired phenotype. Of the methods that may be used to achieve random mutagenesis, error-prone PCR is a convenient and efficient strategy for generating a diverse pool of mutants (i.e., a mutant library). Error-prone PCR is the method of choice when a researcher seeks to mutate a pre-defined region, such as the coding region of a gene while leaving other genomic regions unaffected. After the mutant library is amplified by error-prone PCR, it must be cloned into a suitable plasmid. The size of the library generated by error-prone PCR is constrained by the efficiency of the cloning step. However, in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the cloning step can be replaced by the use of a highly efficient one-step fusion PCR to generate constructs for transformation. Mutants of desired phenotypes may then be selected using appropriate reporters. Here, we describe this strategy in detail, taking as an example, a reporter inserted at centromeric heterochromatin.

The acquired Rpt4 mutants by following the procedures described in Figure 1 can be analyzed by assessing the colors of the colonies. The colors of the colonies are spotted onto the relevant plates in decreasing cell number in Figure 2. The ade6+ reporter inserted at the heterochromatin region is silenced in wild-type and shows red colonies in YES-Ade plate. Once the heterochromatin is destabilized and the ade6+ ...

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Gene-targeted Random Mutagenesis to Select Heterochromatin-destabilizing Proteasome Mutants in Fission Yeast

This article describes a detailed methodology for random mutagenesis of a target gene in fission yeast. As an example, we target rpt4+, which encodes a subunit of the 19S proteasome, and screen for mutations that destabilize heterochromatin.

Random mutagenesis of a target gene is commonly used to identify mutations that yield the desired phenotype. Of the methods that may be used to achieve ...

The overall goal of this random mutagenesis is to screen for mutations that destabilize heterochromatin. This method can help answer key questions in the heterochromatin field, such as factors that regulate the formation and maintenance of heterochromatin. The main advantage of this technique is that it can specifically target a desired gene for mutagenesis, even if the gene is essential.To begin, prepare yeast extract with supplements, or YES, without adenine, Pombe Glutamate Medium, or PMG, and PMG without adenine, by mixing the components as shown in this table. After autoclaving and adding G418 if necessary, stir the medium for another five to ten minutes. Then, aliquot the media into 90 milliliter Petri dishes and store the plates at four degrees Celsius.Using the cloned rpt4 positive, with its five prime and three prime UTRs and silent mutation, as well as primers p5 and p6 and a special polymerase, designed to generate a high error rate, perform error-prone PCR in a total volume of 50 microliters. After generating a transformation-fusion construct, according to the text protocol, inoculate ten milliliters of YES medium with yeast, and incubate it for more than 16 hours to saturation. Use 200 milliliters of YES medium to dilute the cells to an OD600 of 0.2, and incubate the culture at 30 degrees Celsius with shaking for five to six hours to an OD600 of 0.6 to 0.8.Calculate the volume of cells that add up to OD600 of 30. Then, dispense the cells into four 50 milliliter conical tubes and chill them on ice for 10 minutes. Harvest the cells by centrifugation at 1050 G and four degrees Celsius for three minutes.Then, place the microfuge tubes with cassette DNA and 10 electro cuvettes on ice. While still on ice, discard the supernatant and add 15 milliliters of 1.2-molar sorbitol, gently shake the tubes to re-suspend the cells, then centrifuge the cells at 1050 G and four degrees Celsius for three minutes. Discard the supernatant and perform a second sorbitol wash.After centrifugation, discard the supernatant. Then, re-suspend the cells and collect them all in one 15-milliliter conical tube. Next, add 1.2 molar sorbitol up to 2.4 milliliters.Keep the tube of cells on ice. Then, add 200 microliters of sorbitol-suspended cells to a tube containing the fusion PCR construct, mix well, and transfer the sample to an electro cuvette. It is important not to use an excess amount of PCR cassette, as it will give discharge errors.Electroporate the cells using the following options:add 600 microliters of 1.2-molar sorbitol to each electro cuvette for a total volume of 800 microliters. Then, spread the cells onto four YES plates. Incubate the plates at 30 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.Then, perform replica plating on YES plus G418 before incubating the plates for an additional three days. For each YES plus G418 plate, perform replica plating to YES without adenine and PMG without adenine plates. Incubate the replica plates at 30 degrees Celsius for one to two days until some of the colonies on the YES without adenine plates show a white coloration.Compare YES without adenine and PMG without adenine plates and select cells that show pink or white on the YES without adenine plate, and also grow on the PMG without adenine plate. Do not select colonies without growth on PMG without adenine, as they are false positives. Pick each colony and add it to 10 microliters of SPZ solution containing 2.5 milligrams per milliliter of zymolyase 100T.Then, incubate the colonies at 37 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes. Following the incubation, use one microliter of this solution as the starting template for colony PCR. After digesting selected colonies and carrying out gel electrophoresis according to the text protocol, mark the colonies whose PCR products were cut by XHO1 and patch them to YES plus G418 plates.Following the isolation of gDNA from fission yeast cells, and sequencing of the PCR products according to the text protocol, compare the obtained sequence with the wild-type sequence to identify mutations. Once the mutations are re-introduced into wild-type cells, use spotting to confirm the phenotype in the newly-made mutant cells. The rpt4 mutants generated using the protocol demonstrated in this video can be analyzed by assessing the colors of the colonies.As shown in this figure, the colonies were spotted onto the relevant plates in decreasing cell number. The adenine reporter inserted in the heterochromatin region is silenced in wild-type cells and produces red colonies on YES without adenine plates. Once the heterochromatin is destabilized and the adenine reporter is expressed, white colonies can be observed on the YES without adenine plates as seen with the clr4-delta mutant.The screened rpt4 mutants are as shown with the rpt4-1 mutant exhibiting the most severe heterochromatin destabilization. Once mastered, this technique can be done in two weeks to get the desired mutants. While attempting this procedure, it's important to eliminate the false positives as they are more frequent than expected.Following this procedure, other methods like protein purification and enzyme activity tests can be performed in order to answer additional questions, like the nature of the proteins. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to generate mutants in a target gene with the desired phenotype.

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