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RNA world

Haploids and diploids make no sense of each other

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 8, pages 4–5 (2007)Cite this article

Yeast cells do not regulate gene expression by RNAi, yet they do transcribe various non-coding RNAs. A new study shows that one of the key decisions in the yeast life cycle — entry into meiosis — is determined by a non-coding antisense RNA that interferes with sense transcription.

Mating in Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs between haploid cells of opposite mating type — a and α. In the resultant diploid cell, haploid functions are repressed by the a1–α2 protein heterodimer. Under certain conditions, the diploid will initiate meiosis, which requires transcription of several genes including IME4 (initiator of meiosis 4). Transcription of this gene is repressed in haploids, and now Gerald Fink and colleagues show how.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Hongay, C. F. et al. Antisense transcription controls cell fate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cell 127, 735–745 (2006)

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  1. Patrick Goymer
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Goymer, P. Haploids and diploids make no sense of each other. Nat Rev Genet 8, 4–5 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg2036

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg2036

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