α-tubulin regulation by 5′ introns in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Across eukaryotic genomes, multiple alpha- and beta-tubulin genes require regulation to ensure sufficient production of tubulin heterodimers. Features within these gene families that regulate expression remain underexplored. Here, we investigate the role of the 5 ' intron in regulating alpha-tubulin expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find that the intron in the alpha-tubulin, TUB1, promotes alpha-tubulin expression and cell fitness during microtubule stress. The role of the TUB1 intron depends on proximity to the TUB1 promoter and sequence features that are distinct from the intron in the alternative alpha-tubulin isotype, TUB3. These results lead us to perform a screen to identify genes that act with the TUB1 intron. We identified several genes involved in chromatin remodeling, alpha/beta-tubulin heterodimer assembly, and the spindle assembly checkpoint. We propose a model where the TUB1 intron promotes expression from the chromosomal locus and that this may represent a conserved mechanism for tubulin regulation under conditions that require high levels of tubulin production.

Automated summary

In this study, the role of the 5' intron in regulating the expression of alpha-tubulin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. The results showed that the intron in alpha-tubulin, TUB1, promotes the expression of alpha-tubulin and cell fitness during microtubule stress. The role of the TUB1 intron depends on its proximity to the TUB1 promoter and distinct sequence features compared to the intron in the alternative alpha-tubulin isotype, TUB3. Several genes involved in chromatin remodeling, alpha/beta-tubulin heterodimer assembly, and the spindle assembly checkpoint were also identified to act with the TUB1 intron.