Tailor-Made Zinc-Finger Transcription Factors Activate FLO11 Gene Expression with Phenotypic Consequences in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
2007

Zinc-Finger Proteins Activate FLO11 Gene in Yeast

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Shieh Jia-Ching, Cheng Yu-Che, Su Mao-Chang, Moore Michael, Choo Yen, Klug Aaron

Primary Institution: Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Hypothesis

Can tailor-made zinc finger proteins effectively activate the FLO11 gene in yeast and induce phenotypic changes?

Conclusion

Tailor-made zinc finger transcription factors can activate the FLO11 gene in yeast, leading to increased invasive growth and biofilm formation.

Supporting Evidence

  • Three-finger peptides were identified that bind to the FLO11 gene's 5' UTR.
  • Only one of the engineered transcription factors effectively activated FLO11 expression in yeast.
  • Activation of FLO11 led to increased invasive growth and biofilm formation in yeast.

Takeaway

Scientists created special proteins that can turn on a gene in yeast, making the yeast grow in a new way and stick together better.

Methodology

The study used engineered zinc finger proteins to activate the FLO11 gene in yeast, assessing gene expression and phenotypic changes through various assays.

Limitations

The study may not account for all endogenous factors that could influence gene activation and phenotypic expression.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0000746

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