Upon the loss of glucose as the main carbon source cells have developed different mechanisms in order to adapt to this stress and promote survival. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae one such mechanism is acetylation, a post-translational modification performed by a lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) complex, such as NuA4, which has been previously shown to regulate different glucose metabolic pathways. Despite its known role upon glucose starvation, it is not currently understood how NuA4 itself is regulated in response to acute glucose deprivation (GD). I determine here that NuA4 complex protein levels (including catalytic protein Esa1), structure, activity, and localization are not impacted by acute GD. Despite GD showing no impact to NuA4 itself, it does result in the remodelling of both the interactome and acetylome of the complex where 160 proteins were identified to change interaction with Esa1-TAP and 93 acetylation sites were identified. As well GD results in a shift in localization of interacting proteins from nuclear upon standard growth to cytoplasmic. As well the changing interactome shows enrichment for proteins related to regulation of transcription and translation, metabolic pathways like glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, and others related to the cellular stress response. From the interactome three sets of proteins, Pab1, Eaf5/7/3, and Fas1 and Fas2, were studied further to greater characterize their interaction with NuA4 as they change interaction upon GD. Eaf7 protein levels were shown to decrease upon GD and both Fas1 and Fas2 levels were shown to increase in response to NuA4 deletion mutants. Together this work provides a greater understanding of the cellular response to acute GD stress, and how NuA4 plays a role in response to that stress in order to promote cell survival.

Lysine acetylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) studied extensively in the context of histone proteins as a regulator of chromatin dynamics. Recent proteomic studies have revealed that as much as 10% of prokaryotic and mammalian proteins undergo lysine acetylation, and as such, the study of its biological consequences is rapidly expanding to include virtually all cellular processes. Unravelling the complex regulatory network governed by lysine acetylation will require an in depth knowledge of the lysine acetyltransferase enzymes that mediate catalysis, and moreover the development of methods that can identify enzyme-substrate relationships in vivo. This is complex task and will be aided significantly through the use of model organisms and systems biology approaches. The work presented in this thesis explores the function of the highly conserved NuA4 lysine acetyltransferase enzyme complex in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae using systems biology approaches. By exploiting genetic screening tools available to the budding yeast model, I have systematically assessed the cellular roles of NuA4, thereby identifying novel cellular processes impacted by the function of the complex, such as vesicle-mediated transport and the stress response, and moreover identified specific pathways and proteins that are impacted by NuA4 KAT activity, including cytokinesis through the regulation of septin protein dynamics. Moreover, I have developed a mass spectrometry-based technique to identify NuA4-dependent acetylation sites amongst proteins that physically interact with NuA4 in vivo. Together this work demonstrates the diversity of processes impacted by NuA4 function in vivo and moreover highlights the utility of global screening techniques to characterize KAT function.

Lysine acetylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) studied extensively in the context of histone proteins as a regulator of chromatin dynamics. Recent proteomic studies have revealed that as much as 10% of prokaryotic and mammalian proteins undergo lysine acetylation, and as such, the study of its biological consequences is rapidly expanding to include virtually all cellular processes. Unravelling the complex regulatory network governed by lysine acetylation will require an in depth knowledge of the lysine acetyltransferase enzymes that mediate catalysis, and moreover the development of methods that can identify enzyme-substrate relationships in vivo. This is complex task and will be aided significantly through the use of model organisms and systems biology approaches. The work presented in this thesis explores the function of the highly conserved NuA4 lysine acetyltransferase enzyme complex in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae using systems biology approaches. By exploiting genetic screening tools available to the budding yeast model, I have systematically assessed the cellular roles of NuA4, thereby identifying novel cellular processes impacted by the function of the complex, such as vesicle-mediated transport and the stress response, and moreover identified specific pathways and proteins that are impacted by NuA4 KAT activity, including cytokinesis through the regulation of septin protein dynamics. Moreover, I have developed a mass spectrometry-based technique to identify NuA4-dependent acetylation sites amongst proteins that physically interact with NuA4 in vivo. Together this work demonstrates the diversity of processes impacted by NuA4 function in vivo and moreover highlights the utility of global screening techniques to characterize KAT function.

Lysine acetylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) studied extensively in the context of histone proteins as a regulator of chromatin dynamics. Recent proteomic studies have revealed that as much as 10% of prokaryotic and mammalian proteins undergo lysine acetylation, and as such, the study of its biological consequences is rapidly expanding to include virtually all cellular processes. Unravelling the complex regulatory network governed by lysine acetylation will require an in depth knowledge of the lysine acetyltransferase enzymes that mediate catalysis, and moreover the development of methods that can identify enzyme-substrate relationships in vivo. This is complex task and will be aided significantly through the use of model organisms and systems biology approaches. The work presented in this thesis explores the function of the highly conserved NuA4 lysine acetyltransferase enzyme complex in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae using systems biology approaches. By exploiting genetic screening tools available to the budding yeast model, I have systematically assessed the cellular roles of NuA4, thereby identifying novel cellular processes impacted by the function of the complex, such as vesicle-mediated transport and the stress response, and moreover identified specific pathways and proteins that are impacted by NuA4 KAT activity, including cytokinesis through the regulation of septin protein dynamics. Moreover, I have developed a mass spectrometry-based technique to identify NuA4-dependent acetylation sites amongst proteins that physically interact with NuA4 in vivo. Together this work demonstrates the diversity of processes impacted by NuA4 function in vivo and moreover highlights the utility of global screening techniques to characterize KAT function.

Lysine acetylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) studied extensively in the context of histone proteins as a regulator of chromatin dynamics. Recent proteomic studies have revealed that as much as 10% of prokaryotic and mammalian proteins undergo lysine acetylation, and as such, the study of its biological consequences is rapidly expanding to include virtually all cellular processes. Unravelling the complex regulatory network governed by lysine acetylation will require an in depth knowledge of the lysine acetyltransferase enzymes that mediate catalysis, and moreover the development of methods that can identify enzyme-substrate relationships in vivo. This is complex task and will be aided significantly through the use of model organisms and systems biology approaches. The work presented in this thesis explores the function of the highly conserved NuA4 lysine acetyltransferase enzyme complex in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae using systems biology approaches. By exploiting genetic screening tools available to the budding yeast model, I have systematically assessed the cellular roles of NuA4, thereby identifying novel cellular processes impacted by the function of the complex, such as vesicle-mediated transport and the stress response, and moreover identified specific pathways and proteins that are impacted by NuA4 KAT activity, including cytokinesis through the regulation of septin protein dynamics. Moreover, I have developed a mass spectrometry-based technique to identify NuA4-dependent acetylation sites amongst proteins that physically interact with NuA4 in vivo. Together this work demonstrates the diversity of processes impacted by NuA4 function in vivo and moreover highlights the utility of global screening techniques to characterize KAT function.

Ribosomal protein genes are crucial for ribosome biogenesis. The ribosome itself is responsible for protein synthesis and hence cellular growth and development. Intertwining network of proteins in conjugation with cellular environment such as nutrition and growth factors collectively regulate expression of the ribosomal protein genes. DNA microarray analysis has implicated the role of 26S proteasome in transcriptional regulation of the ribosomal protein genes tying protein degradation to protein synthesis pathway. To determine the mechanism as to how the 26S proteasome promotes transcription of the ribosomal protein genes a series of experiments were performed. The results reveal that the 19S subcomplex of the 26S proteasome is recruited to the promoters of the ribosomal protein genes in a TOR (Target of Rapamycin)-dependent manner. TOR signals environmental cues and controls the expression of the ribosomal protein genes. Thus recruited 19S proteasome subcomplex promotes transcriptional initiation via facilitation of the recruitment of co-activator NuA4 (Nucleasome acetyltransferase of histone H4) complex to activator Rap1. NuA4 enhances PIC (Pre-initiation complex) formation at the core promoter, but it is not clearly understood how does it do so. Researches have identified two different forms of TBP: TAF (TBP associated factor)-dependent form of TBP and TAF-independent form of TBP. This work shows that impaired association of NuA4 interferes with TFIID recruitment, but recruits TAF-independent form of TBP to the core promoter. This recruitment of TBP is dependent on SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase). Like ribosomal protein genes, antisense transcription is also enhanced by TAFs. However, it remains unknown whether NuA4 also promotes TAF-regulated antisense transcription. The results illustrate that like ribosomal protein genes, transcription of GAL10 antisense is also promoted by NuA4 HAT (histone acetyl transferase). NuA4 HAT is recruited to the 3’-end of the GAL10 coding sequence, acetylates histone H4 and promotes GAL10 antisense transcription. This work also reveals the roles of other chromatin regulatory factors in controlling antisense transcription. Collectively, these results significantly advance our current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of ribosomal protein genes’ expression and antisense transcription. The ribosome and antisense are involved in virtually all the biological processes. Aberrant expression of the ribosomal protein genes and antisense transcripts are associated with numerous human disorders including cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, analyses of their regulatory processes provide valuable information toward understanding the etiology of numerous human diseases with potential therapeutic interventions.

Lysine acetylation is a conserved post-translational modification (PTM) which was traditionally believed to be limited to histones and the regulation of gene expression. However, recent proteomic studies have identified lysine acetylation on proteins implicated in virtually all cellular processes indicating that this PTM plays a global regulatory role. Indeed, in humans, aberrance of lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) activity is associated with various pathogenesis. To date, over 2500 human proteins are known to be acetylated in vivo, but very few acetylations have been linked to specific KATs. Hence, to understand the biological relevance of KATs and acetylation in human pathology, it is important to learn about the mechanism regulating KAT activity and the identity of their in vivo targets. This is a complex task and will require the use of model organisms and system biology approaches. The work presented here explores the significance of self-acetylation in regulating KAT function by focusing on the highly NuA4 lysine acetyltransferase in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae or budding yeast. Using genetics and biochemical assays I have identified NuA4 subunit Epl1 as a novel in vivo NuA4 substrate. I have also shown that Epl1 acetylation regulates NuA4 function at elevated temperatures. In an attempt to identify new biological processes regulated by yeast KATs and putative novel substrates, I have also performed a genome-wide synthetic dosage lethality screen with six non-essential yeast KATs; Hat1, Rtt109, Hpa2, Sas3, Sas2, and Elp3. My screen identified largely distinct sets of genetic interactions for each KAT suggesting that each KAT has specific cellular functions. Together, this study demonstrates the importance of auto-acetylation in regulating KAT function and the diversity of cellular processes impacted by KAT activity in vivo.

Actively proliferating cells constantly monitor and re-adjust their metabolic pathways to ensure the replenishment of phospholipids necessary for membrane biogenesis and intracellular trafficking. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, multiple studies have suggested that lysine acetylation has a role in coordinating phospholipid metabolism, yet its contribution towards phospholipid homeostasis remains uncharacterized. In this study we undertook a genetic screen to explore the connection between lysine acetylation and phospholipid homeostasis. We found that mutants of the lysine acetyltransferase complex, NuA4, shared a negative genetic interaction with a mutant of Sec14, a lipid-binding protein that regulates Golgi phospholipid composition. Through transcriptome, genetic, cell biology, and chemical analysis, we discovered that the growth defects between NuA4 and Sec14 mutants is likely derived from impaired fatty acid biosynthesis suggesting a role for NuA4 as a positive regulator of fatty acid biosynthesis. Secondly, we discovered that acetylation on the conserved lysine residue K109 inhibits the localization and function of the Oxysterol-Binding Protein Osh4- a lipid-binding protein that antagonizes the function of Sec14 at the Golgi. Furthermore, regulation of Oxysterol-Binding Proteins by acetylation may be a conserved mechanism as we found that Osh1, a homologue of Osh4, was also acetylated on the equivalent lysine residue. Altogether, we have demonstrated that lysine acetylation can target multiple different phospholipid metabolic pathways which implies that it has a very important role for the regulation of phospholipid homeostasis.