Informational suppressor alleles of the eEF1A gene, fertility and cell degeneration in Podospora anserina

• Published in: Molecular & general genetics Vol. 264; no. 3; pp. 354 - 362
• Main Authors: Silar, P, Rossignol, M, Tahar, R, Derhy, Z, Mazabraud, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Springer Verlag 01.10.2000
• Subjects: Alleles; ASA4 gene; Cell Division; Cell Division - genetics; Codon, Terminator; DNA Replication; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Resistance, Microbial - genetics; eEF1A gene; elongation factor eEF-1A; elongation factor EF-1A; Fungi; Fungi - genetics; Genes, Suppressor; Genotype; Life Sciences; Mutation; Neurons and Cognition; Peptide Elongation Factor 1; Peptide Elongation Factor 1 - genetics; Phenotype; Podospora anserina; Protein Biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0026-8925; 1617-4615; 1617-4623; 1432-1874
• DOI: 10.1007/s004380000337

Mutations that increase readthrough at a UGA stop codon (informational suppressor mutations) were created in the gene (AS4) that encodes translation elongation factor eEF1A in the filamentous fungus Podospora amserina. The results strongly suggest that the net charge of the eEF1A protein controls the accuracy of translation. Physiological analysis of the mutant strains shows that some of the alleles dominantly increase life span, while only one drastically modifies fertility. This exceptional allele (AS4-56) causes a wide array of phenotypes, including a new growth cessation phenomenon that is different from Senescence or Crippled Growth, previously known degenerative syndromes that are both controlled by AS4. The data emphasise the fact that eEF1A exerts a complex control over cellular physiology.