Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is able to sense and respond to changes in its immediate environment. Information regarding the nutritional status of the extracellular environment is sensed by membrane receptor systems and relayed through signalling pathways to the nuclear interior, affecting the transcription of specific genes., Transcription factors, which function downstream of these signal transduction pathways, have to be transported into the nucleus after synthesis in the cytoplasm in order to regulate transcriptional events. Transport into the nucleus occurs in a tightly regulated manner at the nuclear pore complex, which is located in the nuclear membrane, and requires the recognition of transport signal sequences, which are present in the proteins that are to be transported. Signalling pathways control the nuclear accessibility of transcriptional regulators by modifying their respective signal sequences. In response to a limited availability of carbon or nitrogen, cells are able to change their morphology from a unicellular ovoid form to elongated cells attached to each other. This morphological change is associated with daughter cells that remain attached to their respective mother cells following unipolar budding, thus forming filamentous structures referred to as pseudohyphae. The regulation of the development of pseudohyphae is correlated with other physiological processes, such as starch degradation and the invasion of agar-containing media. Mss11p performs a central role in the regulation of the genes required for these processes and it has been shown to specifically regulate the expression of FL011, which encodes a cell surface protein critical for pseudohyphal development, and STA2, which encodes an extracellular glucoamylase functioning in the degradation of starch. The aim of this study was to characterise the functioning of Mss11p. Overexpression analysis indicates that Mss11p functions as an inducer of invasive growth, cell elongation and flocculation. Furthermore, MSS11 deletion improves biomass formation and suppresses the growth defect of yeast from a L:1278b genetic background transformed with the RAS2val19 allele on non-fermentable carbon sources. Biochemical analysis shows that Mss11p is a nuclear protein of approximately 97 kDa in apparent size that is maintained at relatively low levels in yeast. Finally, the data suggest a model in which Mss11p functions as a mediator of the transcriptional regulation of various genes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gis Saccharomyces cerevisiae is in staat om veranderinge in sy onmiddelike omgewing waar te neem en daarop te reageer. Inligting betreffende die beskikbaarheid van voedingstowwe in die omgewing word vanaf membraan reseptorsisteme deur middel van seintransduksiekaskades na die nukleus herlei, waar die transkripsie van spesifieke gene beïnvloed word. Transkripsie faktore wat stroom af van hierdie seintransduksie funksioneer, moet na die nukleus vervoer word na vervaardiging in die sitoplasma, om sodoende transkripsionele gebeurtenisse te reguleer. Die vervoer van faktore na die binnekant van die nukleus vind onder streng regulering plaas by die nukleêre porie kompleks, wat in die nukleêre membraan gesitueer is. Vervoer vind plaas deur middel van die herkenning van nukleêre lokaliseringsekwense wat in die proteïene wat vervoer word, teenwoordig is. Seintransduksiekaskades beheer die beskikbaarheid van proteïene tot die nukleus deur hulonderskeidelike nukleêre lokaliseringsekwense te modifiseer. Selle is in staat om hul morfologie te verander van 'n eensellige eliptiese vorm tot verlengde selle wat aan mekaar geheg bly in reaksie op die beperkende beskikbaarheid van koolstof of stikstof bronne. Hierdie morfologiese verandering word geassosieer met dogterselle wat ná monopolêre botselvorming aan hul moederselle geheg bly, en dus filamentagtige strukture vorm wat pseudohifes genoem word. Die regulering van die ontwikkeling van pseudohifes word gekorreleer met ander fisiologiese prosesse, soos styselafbraak en die penetrerende groei van selle op agar-bevattende media. Mss11p vervul 'n sentrale rol in die regulering van gene wat vir hierdie prosesse benodig word en reguleer die uitdrukking van FL011, wat kodeer vir 'n selwandproteïen wat krities is vir die ontwikkeling van pseudohifes, en STA2, wat kodeer vir 'n ekstrasellulêre glukoamilase wat vir die afbraak van stysel benodig word. Die doel van hierdie studie was om Mss11p-funksie te karakteriseer. Deur middel van oorproduksie is Mss11p as die induseerder van penetrerende groei, selverlenging en flokkulasie geïdentifiseer. Verder is bevind dat MSS11-delesie lei tot verhoogde biomassa formasie, en dat dieselfde delesie lei tot 'n oorkoming van 'n groeidefek van gis van die 2:1278b genetiese agtergrond wat met die RAS2val19aleel op nie-fermenteerbare koolstofbronne getransformeer is. Biochemiese analise dui daarop dat Mss11p 'n nukluêre proteïen is van ongeveer 97 kDa in oënskynlike grootte, wat teen lae vlakke in gis onderhou word. Die data stel 'n model voor waarin Mss11p as bemiddelaar optree vir die transkripsionele regulering van verskeie gene.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are able to change their morphological appearance in response to a variety of extracellular and intracellular signals. The processes involved in morphogenesis are well characterised in this organism, but the exact mechanism by which information emanating from the environment is integrated into the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and the yeast cell cycle, is still not clearly understood. Considerable progress has, however, been made. The processes are investigated on various levels including: (i) the nature of the signals required to elicit a morphological adaptation, (ii) the mechanism by which these signals are perceived and transmitted to the nucleus for gene transcription regulation (signal transduction pathways), (iii) the role of the cytoskeleton, particularly actin, in morphogenesis, and (iv) the relationship between cell cycle regulators and factors required for alterations in cellular shape. The focus of this study was on elements involved in the regulation of one of these morphological processes, pseudohyphal formation, in S. cerevisiae. During pseudohyphal differentiation normal oval yeast cells become elongated and mother and daughter cells stay attached after cytokinesis to give rise to filaments. These filaments are able to penetrate the growth substrate, a phenomenon referred to as invasive growth. Actin remodelling is a prerequisite for the formation of elongated cells during pseudohyphal development and invasive growth. Its main contribution to this event is the directing of vesicles, containing cell wall constituents and enzymes, to specific sites of cell wall growth at the cell periphery. In order to fulfil this cellular function, actin is regulated on several levels. Signal transduction pathways that are activated in response to external nutritional signals play important roles in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton during pseudohyphal differentiation. For this reason a literature review was compiled to introduce various aspects of actin-structure, the regulation of this structure and the functions actin performs during morphogenesis. The connection between signal transduction elements involved in morphological processes and actin remodelling is also reviewed. This study entailed the genetic analysis of numerous factors involved in the regulation of pseudohyphal differentiation, invasive growth and starch metabolism. Several transcriptional regulators playing a role in these phenomena were investigated. Apart from the transcription factors, which include Mss11p, Msn1p, Ste12p, F108p,Phd1p and Tec1p, additional elements ranging from transporters to G-proteins, were also investigated. Mutant strains deleted for one or more of these factors were constructed and tested to assess their abilities to form filaments that penetrate the growth substrate, and to utilise starch as a carbon source. Complex genetic relationships were observed for various combinations of these factors. Specifically, F108p,Msn1p and Ste12p were shown to act independently in controlling invasive growth and starch metabolism, suggesting that these factors are regulated by different signal transduction pathways. Mss11p, on the other hand, was found to play an indispensable role and seems to act as a downstream factor of Msn1 p, Fl08p, Ste12p and Tec1 p. The exception to this is Phd1 p, since multiple copies of PHD1 partially suppress the effect of a MSS11 deletion. The data suggests that Mss11 p functions at the confluence of several signalling pathways controlling the transcriptional regulation of genes required for invasive growth and starch degradation. Different nutritional signals were also found to differentially regulate specific signalling elements during the invasive growth response. For example, Tec1 p requires Msn1 p activity in response to growth on media containing a limited nitrogen source. This dependency, however, was absent when invasive growth was tested on glucose and starch media. Evidence was also obtained that confirmed the transcriptional co-regulation of MUC1 and STA2. MUC1 encodes a mucin-like protein that is required for invasive growth and pseudohyphal differentiation, whereas STA2 encodes a glucoamylase required for starch degradation. Unpublished results indicated that several transcriptional regulators of invasive growth also exert an effect on starch metabolism. The data generated during this study complemented and confirmed published results. It also contributed to the compilation of a more detailed model, integrating the numerous factors involved in these signalling processes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Saccharomyces cerevisiae gisselle beskik oor die vermoë om hul morfologiese voorkoms in responstot 'n verskeidenheid van ekstrasellulêre en intrasellulêre seine te verander. Die prosesse betrokke by morfogenese is goed gekarakteriseerd in hierdie organisme, maar die presiese meganisme waardeur inligting vanuit die omgewing geïntegreer word in die reguleringvan die aktien-sitoskelet en die gisselsiklus, word nog nie ten volle verstaan nie. Aansienlike vordering in die verband is egter gemaak. Die prosesse word op verskeie vlakke ondersoek, insluitende: (i) die aard van die seine wat benodig word om 'n morfologiese aanpassing te inisïeer; (ii) die meganisme waardeur hierdie seine waargeneem en herlei word na die selkern vir die regulering van geen-transkripsie (seintransduksie paaie); (iii) die rol van die sitoskelet, spesifiek aktien, in morfogenese en (iv) die verhouding tussen selsiklusreguleerders en faktore wat benodig word vir verandering in selvorm. Hierdie navorsing fokus op elemente betrokke by die regulering van een van hierdie morfologiese prosesse in S. cerevisiae, naamlik pseudohife-vorming. Gedurende pseudohife-differensiëring neem tipiese ovaalvormige selle 'n verlengde voorkoms aan wat tot die vorming van filamente lei. Hierdie filamente is in staat om die groeisubstraat te penetreer, 'n verskynsel bekend as penetrasie-groei. Aktienherrangskikking is 'n voorvereiste vir die vorming van verlengde selle tydens pseudohife-ontwikkeling. Die hoofbydrae van aktien tot hierdie verskynsel is die oriëntering van uitskeidingsvesikels, wat selwandkomponente en ensieme bevat, na spesifieke areas van selwandgroei op die seloppervlak. Aktien word op verskeie vlakke gereguleer om hierdie sellulêre funksie te vervul. Seintransduksiepaaie wat geaktiveer word in respons tot ekstrasellulêre voedingsseine speel 'n belangrike rol in die regulering van die aktien-sitoskelet tydens pseudohife-differensiëring. Op grond hiervan is 'n literatuuroorsig saamgestel vir die bekendstelling van verskeie aspekte van aktienstruktuur, die regulering van hierdie strukture en die funksies wat deur aktien gedurende morfogenese vervul word. Die verband tussen seintransduksie-elemente betrokke by morfologiese prosesse en aktien herrangskikkingword ook behandel. Hierdie studie het die genetiese analisering van verskeie faktore betrokke by pseudohife-differensiëring, penetrasie-groei en styselmetabolisme, behels. Verskeie transkripsionele reguleerders wat In rol speel in hierdie prosesse was bestudeer. Buiten die transkripsiefaktore Mss11p, Msn1p, Ste12p, F108p,Phd1P en Tec1p, was addisionele faktore, wat gewissel het van transporters tot G-proteïene, ook ondersoek. Mutante-rasse met geendelesies vir een of meer van hierdie faktore is gekonstrueer en getoets om vas te stel hoe dit hul vermoë raak om penetrerende filamente te vorm, asook om te bepaal of stysel as koolstofbron gebruik kan word. Komplekse genetiese interaksies vir verskeie kombinasies van hierdie faktore is waargeneem. Dit was waargeneem dat F108p,Msn1p en Ste12p onafhanklik funksioneer tydens die regulering van penetrasie-groei en styselmetabolisme, wat impliseer dat hierdie faktore deur verskillende seintransduksiepaaie gereguleer word. Mss11 p word beskou as In onmisbare rolspeler in hierdie prosesse en dit kom voor asof hierdie protein as 'n stroom-af faktor is en vereis word vir die funksionering van Msn1p, F108p, Ste12p en Tec1p. Phd1p is egter 'n uitsondering, aangesien veelvuldige kopieë van PHD1 die effek van 'n MSS11-delesie gedeeltelik oorkom. Die data impliseer dat Mss11 p by die samevloei van verskeie seintransduksiepaaie, benodig vir die transkripsionele regulering van gene betrokke by penetrasie-groei en styselmetabolisme, funksioneer. Dit was ook waargeneem dat verskillende voedingsseine die faktore betrokke by die penetrasie-groeirespons differensieel reguleer. Tec1 p byvoorbeeld benodig Msn1paktiwitieit in respons tot groei op media met 'n beperkte stikstofbron. Hierdie afhanklike interaksie is egter afwesig wanneer penetrasie-groei bestudeer word op glukose- en styselmedia. Resultate wat die gesamentlike transkripsionele regulering van MUC1 en STA2 bevestig, is ook verkry. MUC1 kodeer vir 'n mukienagtige proteïen wat benodig word vir pseudohife-vorming en penetrasie-groei, terwyl STA2 kodeer vir 'n glukoamilase essensieël vir styselafbraak. Ongepubliseerde resultate dui daarop dat verskeie transkripsionele reguleerders van penetrasie-groei ook In effek uitoefen op styselmetabolisme. Die data wat gegenereer is tydens hierdie studie komplementeer en bevestig reeds gepubliseerde resultate. Dit het ook bygedra tot die samestelling van 'n gedetaileerde model wat die verskillende faktore, betrokke by hierdie seintransduksieprosesse, integreer.

For organisms undergoing a developmental process it is ideal that specific genes are induced and repressed at the correct time and to the correct level in a coordinated manner. The process of meiosis and spore formation (collectively known as sporulation) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides a convenient system to elucidate transcriptional mechanisms of gene repression and the contribution such repression mechanisms offer to cells capable of undergoing a developmental process. This thesis focuses on transcriptional repression of sporulation-specific genes during both vegetative/mitotic conditions and sporulation. The fitness contribution of transcriptional repressors that regulate sporulationspecific genes during vegetative growth were investigated considering the similarities between meiosis and mitosis such as DNA replication, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Well-characterised sporulation genes of different functions were expressed in vegetative cells and ectopic expression of these genes was found not to be lethal. It was ascertained through strain competition studies that ectopic expression of the genes IME1, SMK1, SPR3 and DIT1 during mitotic growth did not affect cellular fitness. The expression of NDT80 in vegetative cells, however, caused a marked reduction in fitness and cells were also further compromised in the absence of the Sum1p repressor that regulates NDT80 transcription. The role of NDT80 as a transcriptional activator of middle sporulation genes, rather than the over-expression of NDT80 as a protein, caused the reduction of cell viability. Transcriptional regulation of the middle sporulation-specific gene SPR3 by the meiosis-specific Set3p repressor complex was investigated using synchronous sporulation cultures of the W303a/?? strain commonly used for sporulation studies. In a mutant W303a/?? ??set3/??set3 strain, lacking a key component of the Set3p repression complex, the transcription of SPR3 was uncharacteristically expressed at higher levels and derepressed during late sporulation. This SPR3 expression was consistent for both SPR3 transcript and SPR3::lacZ reporter protein studies. This preliminary work will enable future studies, using SPR3 promoter deletions fused to a lacZ reporter, aimed at determining the region of the SPR3 promoter that the Set3p complex may interact with to transcriptionally repress the gene during sporulation.

The yeast SKN7 gene encodes a transcription factor that is involved in a variety of processes in cell physiology including cell wall synthesis, cell cycle progression, and oxidative stress resistance. Using a transcriptional reporter-based system, it has been demonstrated that Skn7p is regulated by the two-component osmosensor Sln1p in a manner that requires the phosphorelay molecule Ypd1p, but not the response regulator Ssk1p. Consistent with its regulation by an osmosensor, Skn7p is involved in negative regulation of the osmoresponsive HOG MAP kinase cascade. Cells lacking SKN7 and the protein serine/threonine phosphatase encoded by PTC1 are severely disabled for growth, and hyperaccumulate intracellular glycerol. The growth defect of skn7Delta ptc1Delta mutants can be bypassed by overexpression of specific phosphatase genes, or by deletion of the HOG MAP kinase pathway-encoding genes PBS2 or HOG1. / MID2 was isolated in a screen designed to identify upstream regulators of Skn7p. Mid2p is an extensively O-mannosylated protein that is localized to the plasma membrane. Mutants with defective beta-1,6-glucan synthesis grow more quickly when MID2 is absent. Conversely, MID2 is essential for viability in cells lacking FKS1, the gene encoding the primary catalytic subunit of beta-1,3-glucan synthase. mid2Delta mutants are resistant to calcofluor white, a drug that interferes with cell wall chitin synthesis, while cells overexpressing MID2 are supersensitive to the drug. mid2Delta mutants have a significant reduction in stress-induced chitin synthesis, while cells overexpressing MID2 hyperaccumulate cell wall chitin. Consistent with a proposed role in sensing and responding to cell wall stress, high copy expression of specific components of the cell wall integrity MAP kinase cascade suppress various mid2Delta phenotypes, and Mid2p is essential for full activation of the Mpk1p MAP kinase during various cell wall stress and morphogenic conditions. / Observations from genetic and biochemical experiments suggest that Mid2p is a regulator of the small G-protein encoded by RHO1. Deletion of MID2 is lethal to mutants lacking the Rho1p GEF Rom2p, but suppresses the low temperature growth defect of mutants lacking the Rho1p GAP Sac7p. Conversely, high copy expression of MID2 is a strong suppressor of mutants lacking TOR2, an upstream activator of Rom2p, but is toxic to sac7Delta mutants. High copy expression of MID2 causes increased GEF activity towards Rho1p. Mid2p appears to act in parallel to Rom1p and Rom2p in promoting GDP-GTP exchange for Rho1p in a mechanism that is not yet understood.

For organisms undergoing a developmental process it is ideal that specific genes are induced and repressed at the correct time and to the correct level in a coordinated manner. The process of meiosis and spore formation (collectively known as sporulation) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides a convenient system to elucidate transcriptional mechanisms of gene repression and the contribution such repression mechanisms offer to cells capable of undergoing a developmental process. This thesis focuses on transcriptional repression of sporulation-specific genes during both vegetative/mitotic conditions and sporulation. The fitness contribution of transcriptional repressors that regulate sporulationspecific genes during vegetative growth were investigated considering the similarities between meiosis and mitosis such as DNA replication, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Well-characterised sporulation genes of different functions were expressed in vegetative cells and ectopic expression of these genes was found not to be lethal. It was ascertained through strain competition studies that ectopic expression of the genes IME1, SMK1, SPR3 and DIT1 during mitotic growth did not affect cellular fitness. The expression of NDT80 in vegetative cells, however, caused a marked reduction in fitness and cells were also further compromised in the absence of the Sum1p repressor that regulates NDT80 transcription. The role of NDT80 as a transcriptional activator of middle sporulation genes, rather than the over-expression of NDT80 as a protein, caused the reduction of cell viability. Transcriptional regulation of the middle sporulation-specific gene SPR3 by the meiosis-specific Set3p repressor complex was investigated using synchronous sporulation cultures of the W303a/?? strain commonly used for sporulation studies. In a mutant W303a/?? ??set3/??set3 strain, lacking a key component of the Set3p repression complex, the transcription of SPR3 was uncharacteristically expressed at higher levels and derepressed during late sporulation. This SPR3 expression was consistent for both SPR3 transcript and SPR3::lacZ reporter protein studies. This preliminary work will enable future studies, using SPR3 promoter deletions fused to a lacZ reporter, aimed at determining the region of the SPR3 promoter that the Set3p complex may interact with to transcriptionally repress the gene during sporulation.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No single chemical constituent can be accredited with giving wine and brandy their overall aroma and flavour. The aroma and flavour of wine and brandy are rather attributed to a number of chemical constituents reacting together and it is these reactions that give the beverage its character. Certain chemicals within wine and brandy do, however, make larger contributions to the flavour. These include the esters, terpenes and volatile acids, although others also exist. Esters are a large group of volatile compounds with variable aroma and flavour characteristics, including banana-like (isoamyl acetate), apple-like (ethyl caproate) and chemical/solvent-like (ethyl acetate). Esters are produced as secondary metabolites during the conversion of sugar to ethanol and are formed when an alcohol binds with a fatty acid. Chemically, ester metabolism is well documented and understood; however, much work still needs to be done on a genetic level. The yeast strain used during fermentation is one of the most important factors contributing to the type and quantity of esters produced. This is due to differences in genetic makeup. The metabolism of esters is controlled largely on a genetic level, with numerous genes being involved. The alcohol acetyltransferase genes are involved in ester anabolism, whilst esterase genes are involved in ester catabolism. Esterases have a negative effect on the overall level of esters within an alcoholic beverage, as they are capable of reducing the number of esters and are thus capable of altering the beverage's aroma and flavour profile. The IAH1 and the TIP1 gene products are believed to encode for two such esterases. The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of the IAH1 and TIP1 genes to the level of esters in both wine and brandy. This was accomplished by using two approaches. Firstly, the above genes were disrupted using a polymerise chain reaction (PCR)-generated disruption cassette homologous to either the IAH1 or the TIP1 gene. These cassettes were integrated into the industrial wine yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain VIN13. The integrations were verified by Southern blot analysis to produce yeasts VIN13-~IAH1 and VIN13-~TIP1; however, only a single copy of each was disrupted. Secondly, the IAH1 and the TIP1 genes were cloned from S. cerevisiae using PCR into plasmid pj between the phosphoglycerate kinase gene (PGK1) promoter and terminator, producing plasmids pJ-IOE1 and pJ-TOE1. The PGK1 promoter has previously been shown to constitutively express genes at high levels. These new constructs were then used as template for PCR to produce two overexpression cassettes, one for IAH1 and the other for TlP1. These cassettes were integrated into S. cerevisiae VIN13 and verified by Southern blot analysis to produce strains VIN13-IOE1 and VIN13-TOE1. The above yeast strains including VIN13 were used for the production of wines and base wines from Colombard must. Reverse-transcriptase (RT-PCR) confirmed that the VIN13-IOE1 and VIN13-TOE1 strains overexpressed the appropriate gene at a higher level than the control VIN13 strain. The VIN13-AIAH1 disrupted strain showed no difference in expression level to that of the control strain, whilst VIN13-ATIP1 showed lower levels of expression than that of the control strain. VIN13-IOE1 behaved as expected, with a decrease of between 30% and 60% in the total ester level in the wine and base wine respectively, a 30% decrease in the total acid level and no change in the higher alcohol level. The VIN13-AIAH1 strain showed no difference to the control wine, most likely as this strain still expressed the IAH1 gene at levels consistent with the control strain. VIN13-TOE1 behaved in an unexpected manner - instead of hydrolysing esters, it appeared to produce them. This increase in the total ester level was most noticeable during distillation, when a 20% increase took place. Another unexpected occurrence was a large decline in the total acid level, with acetic acid being the most significant contributor, decreasing by up to 78%. This is a very favourable finding, as acetic acid is a known spoilage molecule and is a cause of sluggish/stuck fermentations. VIN13-ATIP1 behaved in an opposite manner to VIN13-TOE1, with higher total acid levels and slightly decreased total ester levels, especially during distillation. Neither affected the total higher alcohol levels. Sensorially, the only significant difference in the wine samples was for the fruity flavour. A panel of judges distinguished that VIN13-TOE1 was fruitier than the other wines, with VIN13-ATIP1 being the least fruity. This study again proves the significant impact that a single gene can have on the chemical makeup of wine and brandy. The relatively simple genetic alteration of an organism can drastically change and improve not only the organoleptic properties of the organism, but its viability as well. These alterations can produce more favourable organisms with more desirable characteristics for the fermenting beverage industry to produce products of higher quality and better suitability. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen chemiese komponent kan uitgesonderword as die produseerder van aroma en geur in wyn of brandewyn nie. Die aroma en geur van wyn en brandewyn word eerder toegeskryf aan die interaksie tussen 'n groot aantal chemiese komponente om aan die drank sy karakter te gee. Enkele van hierdie chemiese komponente sluit in esters, terpene en vlugtige sure, om maar 'n paar te noem. Esters is "n groot groep van vlugtige verbindings wat beskik oor 'n verskeidenheid van aroma- en geurkenmerke, soos piesangagtig (isoamielasetaat), appelagtig (etielkaproaat) en chemies/oplosmiddelagtig (etielasetaat). Esters word as sekondêre metaboliete geproduseer wanneer suikers na etanolomgeskakel word en word gevorm wanneer "n alkohol met "n vetsuur verbind. Estermetabolisme is chemies goed beskryf en verstaan, maar op "n genetiese vlak is daar nog heelwat aspekte wat nagevors moet word. Die gisras betrokke gedurende fermentasie word beskou as een van die grootse bydraes tot die tipe en die hoeveelheid esters wat geproduseer word. Dit word toegeskryf aan verskille in die genetiese saamestelling van die gisras. Ester metabolisme word grootliks deur genetiese faktore beheer en verskeie gene is betrokke. Dit is hoofsaaklik die alkoholasetieltransferasegene wat vir esterkatabolisme verantwoordelik is, terwyl die esterasegene vir esteranabolisme verantwoordelik is. Esterases het 'n negatiewe effek op die totale estervlak binne alkoholiese dranke deurdat hulle in staat is om die aantal esters drasties te verminder en sodoende die drank se aroma- en geurprofiel te verander. Daar is voorgestel dat die IAH1- en die TlP1-geen produkte is wat vir twee sulke esterases kodeer. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die IAH1- en die TIP1-gene se bydrae tot die totale estervlak in wyn en brandewyn te ondersoek. Dit is deur twee benaderings uitgevoer. Eerstens is die bogenoemde gene d.m.V. disrupsiekassette wat homoloog aan die IAH1- of die TlP1-gene was, uitgeslaan. Die disrupsiekassette is deur die polimerasekettingreaksie (PKR) geproduseer. Hierdie kassette is in die industriële wyngis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae VIN13, geïntegreer. Die integrasies is deur Southernkladanalise bevestig en het die giste VIN13-~IAH1 en VIN13-~TIP1 gelewer. Net 'n enkele kopie van elke geen is egter uitgeslaan. Tweedens is die IAH1- en TIP1-gene d.m.V. PKR vanaf S. cerevisiae binne in plasmied pJ gekloneer, tussen die fosfogliseraatkinasegeen (PGK1) se promotor en termineerder, om plasmiede pJ-IOE1 en pJ-TOE1 te produseer. Die PGK1-promotor is al tevore geïdentifiseer as "n hoë-vlak konstitutiewe uitdrukker van gene. Hierdie twee nuwe konstrukte het vervolgens gedien as templaat vir PKR om twee ooruitdrukkingskassette, een vir IAH1 en die ander vir TIP1, te produseer. Hierdie kassette is in S. cerevisiae VIN13 geïntegreer en bevestig deur Southernkladanalise. Hierdie integrasies het die giste VIN13-IOE1 en VIN13-TOE1 geproduseer. All die nuwe gisrasse, tesame met VIN13, is gebruik vir die produksie van wyne sowel as rebatwyne vanaf Colombard-mos. Omgekeerde-transkriptase polimerasekettingreaksie (OT-PKR) het bewys dat die VIN13-IOE1 en VIN13-TOE1 rasse die geskikte geen ooruitgedruk het, met hoêr vlakke as van die kontrole VIN13-ras. Dit het ook aangedui dat die VIN13-i\IAH1-ras, waarvan die geen uitgeslaan was, geen verskil in uitdrukking gehad het in vergelyking met die kontroleras nie, terwyl VIN13-i\TIP1 'n lae uitdrukkingsvlak getoon het. VIN13-IOE1 het teen verwagting opgetree, met 'n afname van tussen 30% en 60% in die totale estervlak in beide die wyne en rebatwyne. 'n Afname van 30% in die totale suurvlak, asook geen waarneembare verskil in die hoêr alkoholvlak, in vergelyking met die kontroleras, is ook opgemerk. Die VIN13-i\IAH1-ras het glad nie van die kontroleras verskil nie, heel waarskynlik omdat hierdie ras die IAH1-geen teen dieselfde vlak as die kontroleras kon uitdruk. Die VIN13-TOE1-ras het teen verwagting opgetree deurdat dit esters geproduseer het i.p.v. om esters te hidroliseer. Hierdie toename in die totale estervlak is die meeste waarneembaar tydens distillasie, met tot 'n 20% toename. Nog 'n onverwagte effek was die groot afname in die totale suurvlak. met asynsuur wat die betekenisvolste bydrae gelewer het deurdat dit 'n afname van tot 78% getoon het. Hierdie bevinding is baie voordelig, aangesien asynsuur, 'n bekende bederfmolekuul, veral vir slepende/gestaakte fermentasies verantwoordelik is. VIN13-i\TIP1 het op die teenoorgestelde wyse opgetree as VIN13-TOE1, met 'n hoêr totale suurvlak en 'n klein afname in die totale estervlak. Weereens is dit meer gedurende distillasie waargeneem. Beide rasse het egter geen effek op die hoêr alkoholvlak gehad nie. Die proepaneel het, met betrekking tot die vrugtige geur, een betekenisvolle geurverskil tussen die wyne gevind. VIN13-TOE1 was meer vrugtig as al die ander wyne en VIN13-i\TIP1 was die minste vrugtig. Die studie het weereens bewys dat 'n enkele geen 'n betekenisvolle effek op die chemiese samestelling van wyn en brandewyn kan hê. Die relatief eenvoudige genetiese verandering van 'n organisme kan die organoleptiese eienskappe asook die lewensvatbaarheid van "n organisme, drasties verander en verbeter.

The MAT∝ locus of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes two regulatory proteins responsible for determining the ∝cell type. The MAT∝1 gene encodes ∝1, a positive regulator of ∝cell-specific genes, whereas the MAT∝2 gene encodes a negative regulator of a cell-specific genes (∝2). MAT∝2. (in conjunction with the MATα1 gene) also determines the α/∝ diploid cell type by repressing haploid-specific genes. ∝2 exerts its effect at the transcriptional level in the ∝ cell by binding to a sequence located upstream of α cell-specific genes. The present study undertook to examine, through in vitro genetic manipulation, the structure/function relationship of the MAT∝ regulatory proteins, particularly∝2, in their role as gene regulators. The construction of mutant MAT∝2 genes containing termination codons at various points within the gene, and subsequent transformation of the mutant genes into mat∝2 yeast, indicated that the carboxy-terminal one-third of the gene product was necessary for full repressor activity in the haploid as well as in the diploid. A segment within the carboxy-terminal one-third of ∝2 displays some homology to the higher eukaryote homeo domain as well as to a prokaryotic bihelical DNA-binding structural motif. This region of the gene was subjected to semi-random missense mutagenesis in vitro and the mutant genes were analyzed by transformation into strains containing chimaeric genes that encode β-galactosidase from ∝2 and a1/∝2. repressible promoters. In this manner it was demonstrated that most of those residues in ∝2. which correspond to conserved amino acids in the prokaryotic DNA-binding structure and in the homeo domain are essential for the two repressor activities of ∝2. Several mutations more severely affected the ability of ∝2 to repress α-specific genes than haploid-specific genes. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the activities of some of the mutants was consistent with the existence of a helix-turn-helix structure at this region of the protein. Finally, further analysis of some of these mutants in vitro confirmed that the observed defect correlated with a loss of DNA-binding activity. / Medicine, Faculty of / Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of / Graduate

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No description available.

Thesis (PhD (Science) (Viticulture and Oenology. Wine Biotechnology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wine fermentation with a yeast strain able to degrade grape cell polysaccharides can result in improved processability and an increase in wine quality by improving extraction of essential compounds from the grapes during the maceration stage. Pectin is the only important cell wall polysaccharide that can be degraded by wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Pectin is degraded by a polygalacturonase (PG) encoded by the PGU1 gene (ORF YJR153W). Only certain S. cerevisiae strains can degrade pectin and PG activity is thus strain specific. The lack of activity in certain strains has been attributed to a number of factors: (1) the complete absence of the PGU1 gene, (2) the PGU1 gene is present but the allele is dysfunctional and (3) the PGU1 gene is present but not transcribed. The lack in transcription has been shown to be due to the gene having a dysfunctional promoter or to regulatory differences between strains. Results published in the literature are contradictory. The primary aim of this investigation was to clarify the regulation of PG activity in S. cerevisiae and to determine why there are differences in PG activity between different strains. Regulation of PG activity between several wine and laboratory strains with varying PG activities was compared by looking at the sequence of the PGU1 gene and its promoter as well as transcription levels of this gene and its main transcription factors, TEC1 and STE12. In order to identify regulatory factors influencing PG activity, the S. cerevisiae genome was screened for activators and inhibitors of PG activity. Fourteen inhibitors and two activators of PG activity were identified during this screen. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the PG activity is regulated by transcription of the PGU1 gene. A linear relationship was demonstrated between PGU1 and its two transcription factors TEC1 and STE12. Some of the genes identified as inhibitors of PGU1 transcription are involved in gene silencing by Telomere Position Effect (TPE) indicating that PGU1 is possibly silenced due to its subtelomeric location within 25 kb from the right telomere of chromosome X. Moving the PGU1 gene with its native regulatory machinery to a different position away from its telomere resulted in an increase in PGU1 transcription and PG activity, demonstrating the epigenetic influence on PGU1 regulation. Results from this study suggested that the strain related difference in PGU1 expression occurs at an epigenetic level, with steric hindrance preventing RNA polymerase access to the PGU1 promoter and thus inhibiting transcription of this gene in some strains. Understanding regulation of PG activity can potentially lead to the development of more effective strategies to improve PG degradation by S. cerevisiae. The genetic model describing regulation of PGU1 transcription was extended by this study and a novel mechanism of regulation of PG activity was identified. The secondary aim of this study written as an addendum to this thesis, focussed on degradation of another grape cell wall polysaccharide xylan by recombinant strains of S. cerevisiae. These strains were enabled to degrade this polysaccharide through heterologous expression of novel xylanase encoding genes from various origins. Xylanase activity of the recombinant strains generated was compared. Overexpressing the complete gene xynA of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, the functional domain xynAa or the functional domain xynAc within optimal conditions for these enzymes all conferred very low xylanase activity to S. cerevisiae, with xynAc resulting in the highest xylanase activity. Since overexpression of the R. flavefaciens xynA gene yielded very low activity under optimal conditions activity in wine making conditions would be negligible. The genes XYN2 and XYN4 from Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger respectively yielded higher levels of activity. According to these results, only the expression of XYN2 and XYN4 could have a potential effect on wine An effective strategy for improving pectin degradation can in future potentially be combined with heterologous expression of a xylanase encoding gene in S. cerevisiae in order to engineer a wine yeast strain with improved polysaccharase abilities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gisting van druiwe met polisakkaried-afbrekende gisrasse kan lei tot ‘n verbetering in wyn prosessering en tot die produksie van hoër kwaliteit wyne deur die ekstraksie van belangrike wynkomponente uit druifselle te verbeter. Pektien is die hoof komponent van die druifselwand wat deur wilde tipe Saccharomyces cerevisiae giste afgebreek kan word en word afgebreek deur ‘n poligalaktoronase (PG) wat deur die PGU1 (YJR153W) geen gekodeer word. Slegs spesifieke gisrasse kan pektien afbreek en die ensiem aktiwiteit is dus ras-spesifiek. Die gebrek aan PG aktiwiteit in sekere rasse is al omskryf as gevolg van die afwesigheid van die geen, die teenwoordigheid van ‘n nie-funksionele alleel of dat die geen wat teenwoordig is nie uitgedruk word nie. Transkripsie is al bewys om nie plaas te vind nie a.g.v. die teenwoordigheid van ‘n nie-funksionele promotor of a.g.v. ‘n verskil in regulering van transkripsie tussen rasse. Sommige studies wat PG regulering ondersoek het, het teenstrydige resultate verkry. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om PG regulering te ondersoek en te bepaal waarom daar verskille in PG aktiwiteit tussen verskillende gisrasse voorkom. Regulering van PG aktiwiteit is ondersoek tussen wyn en laboratorium gisrasse met wisselende vlakke van PG aktiwiteit deur die DNS volgorde van die PGU1 geen en sy promotor, so wel as die DNS volgorde van die geen se hoof transkripsie faktore TEC1 en STE12 te bepaal. Om reguleerders van PG aktiwiteit te identifiseer is die genoom van die gis S. cerevisiae ondersoek om faktore te identifiseer wat PG aktiwiteit aktiveer of inhibeer. “Real-time PCR” het bewys dat PG aktiwiteit gereguleer word deur transkripsie van die PGU1 geen en dat daar ‘n lineêre verhouding tussen die transkripsie van die PGU1 geen en sy twee hoof transkripsie faktore TEC1 en STE12 bestaan. Sommige van die gene wat geïdentifiseer is as inhibeerders van PG aktiwiteit is voorheen bewys om betrokke te wees by die inhibering van transkripsie deur middel van die telomeer posisie effek, dit dui daarop dat transkripsie van die PGU1 geen moontlik geïnhibeer word as gevolg van die geen se subtelomeriese posisie binne 25 kb vanaf die regter telomeer van chromosoom X. Die PGU1 geen is met sy natuurlike regulerings elemente na ‘n ander posisie in die genoom, weg van sy naaste telomeer geskuif, die verandering in posisie van die geen het gelei tot ‘n toename in PG aktiwiteit en transkripsie van die PGU1 geen en het dus bewys regulering word beïnvloed deur ‘n epigenetiese effek. Die resultate van hierdie studie het daarop gedui dat die verskil in transkripsie van die PGU1 geen plaasvind op ‘n epigenetiese vlak waartydens die chromatien struktuur toegang van die RNA polimerase tot die PGU1 geen voorkom en dus word transkripsie van die geen sodoende in sommige rasse voorkom. Die tweede doelwit van hierdie studie het gefokus op die afbraak van ‘n ander komponent van die druif selwand, xilaan, deur S. cerevisiae. Hierdie navorsing vorm ‘n addendum aan die tesis en Xylanase aktiwiteit van verskeie rekombinante rasse is in hierdie studie vergelyk. Baie lae xylanase aktiwiteit is verleen aan rekombinante giste wat die volledige xynA geen gekloneer van die bakteriee Ruminococcus flavefaciens, asook twee aktiewe domeins van die geen, domein xynAa en domein xynAc uitdruk. Van die voorafgenoemde giste het die uitdrukking van die domein xynAc die rekombinante gis ras met die hoogste aktiwiteit tot gevolg gehad. Ooruitdrukking van die gene XYN2 en XYN4 wat gekloneer is van die fungi Trichoderma reesei en Aspergillus niger onderskeidelik, het beide gisrasse wat oor hoë vlakke van xylanase aktiwiteit beskik tot gevolg gehad. Hierdie resultate dui dus daarop dat van die gene ondersoek in die studie, slegs XYN2 en XYN4 potensiaal het om xylanase aktiwiteit van wyngiste te verbeter. Deur die regulering van PG aktiwiteit te bestudeer kan meer effektiewe strategieë potensieel ontwikkel word om PG aktiwiteit in S. cerevisiae te verbeter. Hierdie studie het die genetiese model wat PG regulering omskryf uitgebrei deur ‘n nuwe meganisme van regulering van toepassing op PGU1 te identifiseer. As ons die regulering van die PGU1 goed verstaan kan dit in die toekoms gekombineer word met ‘n effektiewe strategie om ‘n gis aan te pas om xylaan af te breek, om sodoende ‘n wyngis geneties te verbeter om beide xylaan en pektien te kan afbreek.