Four and a half LIM domains protein 1 (FHL-1) (Skeletal muscle LIM-protein 1) (SLIM) (SLIM-1) [SLIM1]

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The forkhead-like transcription factor (Fhl1p) maintains yeast replicative lifespan by regulating ribonucleotide reductase 1 (RNR1) gene transcription.

In eukaryotes, numerous genetic factors contribute to the lifespan including metabolic enzymes, signal transducers, and transcription factors. As previously reported, the forkhead-like transcription factor (FHL1) gene was required for yeast replicative lifespan and cell proliferation. To determine how Fhl1p regulates the lifespan, we performed a DNA microarray analysis of a heterozygous diploid strain deleted for FHL1. We discovered numerous Fhl1p-target genes, which were then screened for lifespan-regulating activity. We identified the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) 1 gene (RNR1) as a regulator of replicative lifespan. RNR1 encodes a large subunit of the RNR complex, which consists of two large (Rnr1p/Rnr3p) and two small (Rnr2p/Rnr4p) subunits. Heterozygous deletion of FHL1 reduced transcription of RNR1 and RNR3, but not RNR2 and RNR4. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that Fhl1p binds to the promoter regions of RNR1 and RNR3. Cells harboring an RNR1 deletion or an rnr1-C428A mutation, which abolishes RNR catalytic activity, exhibited a short lifespan. In contrast, cells with a deletion of the other RNR genes had a normal lifespan. Overexpression of RNR1, but not RNR3, restored the lifespan of the heterozygous FHL1 mutant to the wild-type (WT) level. The Δfhl1/FHL1 mutant conferred a decrease in dNTP levels and an increase in hydroxyurea (HU) sensitivity. These findings reveal that Fhl1p regulates RNR1 gene transcription to maintain dNTP levels, thus modulating longevity by protection against replication stress.

MeSH Terms

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Ribonucleotide Reductases
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription, Genetic

Keywords

  • Forkhead-like transcription factor
  • Replication stress
  • Replicative lifespan
  • Ribonucleotide reductase
  • Yeast


Transcription factor genes essential for cell proliferation and replicative lifespan in budding yeast.

Many of the lifespan-related genes have been identified in eukaryotes ranging from the yeast to human. However, there is limited information available on the longevity genes that are essential for cell proliferation. Here, we investigated whether the essential genes encoding DNA-binding transcription factors modulated the replicative lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Heterozygous diploid knockout strains for FHL1, RAP1, REB1, and MCM1 genes showed significantly short lifespan. (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis indicated a characteristic metabolic profile in the Δfhl1/FHL1 mutant. These results strongly suggest that FHL1 regulates the transcription of lifespan related metabolic genes. Thus, heterozygous knockout strains could be the potential materials for discovering further novel lifespan genes.

MeSH Terms

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Metabolome
  • Minichromosome Maintenance 1 Protein
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Telomere-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors

Keywords

  • Essential gene
  • Heterozygous knockout
  • Metabolome
  • Replicative lifespan
  • Transcription factor
  • Yeast