Letter abstract
Nature Genetics 40, 460 - 465 (2008)
Published online: 23 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/ng.112
Newly identified prion linked to the chromatin-remodeling factor Swi1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Zhiqiang Du1, Kyung-Won Park1, Haijing Yu1,2, Qing Fan1 & Liming Li1
SWI/SNF, an evolutionarily conserved ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex, has an important role in transcriptional regulation1. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SWI/SNF regulates the expression of 
6% of total genes through activation or repression2. Swi1, a subunit of SWI/SNF, contains an N-terminal region rich in glutamine and asparagine, a notable feature shared by all characterized yeast prions—a group of unique proteins capable of self-perpetuating changes in conformation and function3. Here we provide evidence that Swi1 can become a prion, [SWI+]. Swi1 aggregates in [SWI+] cells but not in nonprion cells. Cells bearing [SWI+] show a partial loss-of-function phenotype of SWI/SNF. [SWI+] can be eliminated by guanidine hydrochloride treatment, HSP104 deletion or loss of Swi1. Moreover, we show [SWI+] is dominantly and cytoplasmically transmitted. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of 'protein-only' inheritance that results in modification of chromatin-remodeling and, ultimately, global gene regulation.
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Searle 5-474, 320 East Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
- Present address: Key Laboratory of Bioresources Conservation and Utilization and Human Genetics Center, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China.
Correspondence to: Liming Li1 e-mail: limingli@northwestern.edu
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