N. Buisson et R. Labbebois, FLAVOHEMOGLOBIN EXPRESSION AND FUNCTION IN SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE -NO RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPIRATION AND COMPLEX RESPONSE TO OXIDATIVE STRESS, The Journal of biological chemistry, 273(16), 1998, pp. 9527-9533
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a flavohemoglobin, encoded
by the gene YHB1, whose function is unclear. Previous reports present
ed evidence that its maximal expression requires disruption of mitocho
ndrial respiration and that it plays a role in the response to oxidati
ve stress. We have studied the expression of YHB1 in respiratory defic
ient cells and in cells exposed to various compounds causing oxidative
stress. Several different strains and approaches (spectroscopic detec
tion of the oxygenated form of Yhb1p, p-galactosidase activity of a YH
B1-lacZ fusion, and Northern blot analysis) were used to demonstrate t
hat YHB1 expression and Yhb1p production are not increased by respirat
ion deficiency. YHB1 expression was unchanged in cells challenged with
antimycin A or menadione, while it decreased in cells exposed to H2O2
, diamide, dithiothreitol, and Cu2+, Transcription of YHB1 is not unde
r the control of the transcriptional factor Yap1p, These results do no
t support a participation of YHB1 in the genetic response to oxidative
stress. We also analyzed the growth phenotypes associated with altere
d Yhb1p production using YHB1-deleted strains and strains that greatly
overproduced Yhb1p, Yhb1p appears to protect cells against the damage
caused by Cu2+ and dithiothreitol, while sensitizing them to H2O2. Yh
b1p overproduction in a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient mu
tant decreased its growth rate. These data indicate that there is a co
mplex relationship(s) between Yhb1p function(s) and cell defense react
ions against various stresses.