Molecular cloning of hormone-responsive genes from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

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Abstract
A method for identifying yeast genes whose transcription is differentially regulated was developed. The technique is based on incorporation of the analog 4-thiouridine into nascent RNA, which allows their purification. The purified RNA are used to prepare cDNA [complementary DNA] copies for screening of genomic DNA libraries by hybridization. Using this procedure, several cloned yeast DNA segments were found whose transcription in MATa haploids in vivo is apparently modulated in dramatic fashion within 10-15 min after exposure to the mating pheromone, .alpha. factor. Subsequent analysis indicated that these sequences fall into 3 major classes: genes expressed in vegetatively growing cells that are no longer transcribed after .alpha.-factor administration (turn-off genes); genes whose expression is increased 10- to 20-fold after exposure of the MATa cells to .alpha. factor (turn-up genes); and genes that are expressed only after .alpha.-factor treatment (turn-on genes). The 1st class may encode products required for cell cycle progression; the 3rd class may code for products uniquely involved in the mating process.