# GENETIC CONTROL OF MATING IN YEAST

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 1988 · $164,970

## Abstract

The goal of this project is to determine the molecular mechanisms by which
gene expression is regulated in a simple eukaryote, the yeast Saccharomyces
cerevisiae.  In particular, we seek to determine the molecular basis for
differentiation of yeast cell type.  This proposal is concerned with the
following aspects of cell type (mating type) in yeast:  (1) The molecular
mechanism of action of regulators of gene expression.  Our prior work has
shown that the yeast mating type locus (MAT) codes for regulator proteins:
Alpha2 and al-Alpha2 are negative regulators of gene expression, and Alpha1
is an activator of gene expression.  These regulators control expression of
a- or Alpha-specific genes at the level of production of RNA.  We shall
address the following questions:  (a) How does the Alpha1 product activate
expression of the MFAlpha1 (Alpha-factor) gene?  (b) How does the Alpha2
product inhibit expression of the STE6 gene?  (c) How does Alpha1-Alpha2
inhibit expression of the HO gene?  We shall use a variety of genetic and
biochemical methods to address these questions.  (2) Mating type
interconversion and its regulation.  The genetic rearrangement that occurs
in mating type interconversion is under a variety of controls.  We shall
try to determine the molecular basis for several of these controls, some of
which concern expression of the HO gene itself.  (a) How is expression of
the HO gene limited to a specific phase of the cell division cycle?  (b)
Why do mother cells and not daughter cells express HO?  (c) What is
responsible for degradation of the HO protein?  (d) Why are five genes
(SWI1-SWI5) required for expression of HO?  (e) Is the HO gene product a
component of the HO-dependent endonuclease that appears to be the
initiating event in mating type interconversion?

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128147
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018738-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KMH5K9V7S518
- **Principal Investigator:** IRA HERSKOWITZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $164,970
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-06-01 → 1989-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128147

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128147, GENETIC CONTROL OF MATING IN YEAST (5R01AI018738-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128147. Licensed CC0.

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