Transcript analysis of 250 novel yeast genes from chromosome XIV

The European Functional Analysis Network (EUROFAN) is systematically analys ing the function of novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes revealed by genome sequencing. As part of this effort our consortium has performed a detailed transcript analysis for 250 novel ORFs on chromosome XIV. All transcripts were quantified by Northern analysis under three quasi-steady-state conditi ons (exponential growth on rich fermentative, rich non-fermentative, and mi nimal fermentative media) and eight transient conditions (glucose derepress ion, glucose upshift, stationary phase, nitrogen starvation, osmo-stress, h eat-shock, and two control conditions). Transcripts were detected for 82% o f the 250 ORFs, and only one ORF did not yield a transcript of the expected length (YNL285w). Transcripts ranged from low (62%), moderate (16%) to hig h abundance (2%) relative to the ACI mRNA, The levels of 73% of the 206 chr omosome XIV transcripts detected fluctuated in response to the transient st ates tested. However, only a small number responded strongly to the transie nts: eight ORFs were induced upon glucose upshift: five were repressed by g lucose; six were induced in response to nitrogen starvation three were indu ced in stationary phase; five were induced by osmo-stress; four were induce d by heat-shock. These data provide useful clues about the general function of these ORFs and add to our understanding of gene regulation on a genome- wide basis. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.