SYR2, A GENE NECESSARY FOR SYRINGOMYCIN GROWTH-INHIBITION OF SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE

The Pseudomonas syringae cyclic lipodepsipeptide syringomycin inhibits the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A novel yeast gene, SYR2, was found to complement two syringomycin-resistant S. cerevisiae mutants. SYR2 was cloned, sequenced, and shown to encode a 349 amino acid prot ein located in the endoplasmic reticulum. SYR2 was identical to SUR2, which is involved in survival during nutritional starvation. Gene disr uption or overexpression of SYR2 did not affect cell viability or ergo sterol levels, but did influence cellular phospholipid levels. The fin dings suggest that phospholipids are important for the growth inhibito ry action of syringomycin.