Deletion of MEC1 suppresses the replicative senescence of the cdc13-2 mutant in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

• Published in: G3 : genes - genomes - genetics Vol. 13; no. 5
• Main Authors: Yao, Yue, Fekete-Szücs, Enikő, Rosas Bringas, Fernando R, Chang, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 02.05.2023
• Subjects: DNA, Single-Stranded; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Investigation; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins - genetics; Telomerase - metabolism; Telomere - metabolism; Telomere Shortening; Telomere-Binding Proteins - genetics; Mec1; replicative senescence; telomerase recruitment; Cdc13; cdc13-2
• ISSN: 2160-1836; 2160-1836
• DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad065

Abstract In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, telomerase recruitment to telomeres depends on a direct interaction between Cdc13, a protein that binds single-stranded telomeric DNA, and the Est1 subunit of telomerase. The cdc13-2 allele disrupts telomerase association with telomeres, resulting in progressive telomere shortening and replicative senescence. The Mec1/ATR kinase is both a positive and a negative regulator of telomerase activity and is required for the cell cycle arrest in telomerase-deficient senescent cells. In this study, we find that the deletion of MEC1 suppresses the replicative senescence of cdc13-2. This suppression is dependent on telomerase, indicating that Mec1 antagonizes telomerase-mediated telomere extension in cdc13-2 cells to promote senescence.