Prions affect the appearance of other prions: the story of [PIN(+)]

Cell. 2001 Jul 27;106(2):171-82. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00427-5.

Abstract

Prions are self-propagating protein conformations. Recent research brought insight into prion propagation, but how they first appear is unknown. We previously established that the yeast non-Mendelian trait [PIN(+)] is required for the de novo appearance of the [PSI(+)] prion. Here, we show that the presence of prions formed by Rnq1 or Ure2 is sufficient to make cells [PIN(+)]. Thus, [PIN(+)] can be caused by more than one prion. Furthermore, an unbiased functional screen for [PIN(+)] prions uncovered the known prion gene, URE2, the proposed prion gene, NEW1, and nine novel candidate prion genes all carrying prion domains. Importantly, the de novo appearance of Rnq1::GFP prion aggregates also requires the presence of other prions, suggesting the existence of a general mechanism by which the appearance of prions is enhanced by heterologous prion aggregates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Genes, Fungal / genetics
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Models, Biological
  • Phenotype
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Prions / chemistry
  • Prions / genetics*
  • Prions / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Prions
  • RNQ1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • URE2 protein, S cerevisiae