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Relationship of the wsc1p and rgf1p proteins in the biosynthesis of the cell wall of schizosaccharomyces pombe

Abstract:

Introduction: The fungal cell wall is a structure essential for the maintenance of morphology. It protects cells against adverse conditions provoked by the external environment, a reason why possessing knowledge about it is important to identify targets for the development of new antifungal agents. Wsc1p has been characterized as a possible sensor for cell wall damage in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, while Rgf1p is one of the activators of the GTPase Rho1p, which integrates the cell integrity signaling cascade. Objective: To identify the relationship of the WSC1p and Rgf1p proteins with the biosynthesis in the cell wall of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Methods: Molecular cloning techniques, genetic methods, microscopy techniques, Western Blot, determination of Pmk1p activity under stress conditions, as well as computer analysis of DNA and protein sequences were used. Results: The Wsc1p and Rgf1p proteins are colocalized in the septum and the poles. Simultaneous deletion of the wsc1+ and rgf1+ genes is lethal. However, the overexpression of Rgf1p is not lethal in the wsc1+ mutant; in addition, the overexpression of wsc1+ increases the levels of phosphorylation of Pmk1p, through the MAP kinase module, and depends only partially on Rgf1p. Conclusions: The overexpression of Wsc1p increases the amount of cell wall, which is a stress for the cell and could act by activating the cell integrity cascade, partially, through Rgf1p.