Molecular cloning and expression of the ARFC3 gene, a component of the replication factor C from the salt-tolerant, dimorphic yeast Arxula adeninivorans LS3

The yeast replication factor C (RF-C) is a multi-polypeptide complex with f ive sub-units involved: in chromosomal DNA replication. This factor, encode d by five genes, is well characterized for the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisi ae. However, RF-C components from other yeast species have not been analyse d yet. Here we report the cloning and characterization of ARFC3 From the di morphic and osmo-tolerant yeast Arxula adeninivorans. This gene encodes one subunit of the RF-C complex. It is localized on chromosome 1 of the four A rxula chromosomes and comprises a coding region of 1014 bp, which correspon ds to 338 amino acids. Two introns are contained within this gene. The ARFC 3 transcript level is influenced by both salt and temperature. The latter a lso influences the morphological state (budding cells, mycelium). High salt concentration and high temperature result in a rapid decrease of the ARFC3 mRNA.