Galactokinase encoded by GAL1 is a bifunctional protein required for induction of the GAL genes in Kluyveromyces lactis and is able to suppress the gal3 phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have analyzed a GAL1 mutant (gal1-r strain) of the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis which lacks the induction of beta-galactosidase and the enzymes of the Leloir pathway in the presence of galactose. The data show that the K. lactis GAL1 gene product has, in addition to galactokinase activity, a function required for induction of the lactose system. This regulatory function is not dependent on galactokinase activity, as it is still present in a galactokinase-negative mutant (gal1-209). Complementation studies in Saccharomyces cervisiae show that K. lactis GAL1 and gal1-209, but not gal1-r, complement the gal3 mutation. We conclude that the regulatory function of GAL1 in K. lactis soon after induction is similar to the function of GAL3 in S. cerevisiae.

Galactokinase encoded by GAL1 is a bifunctional protein required for induction of the GAL genes in Kluyveromyces lactis and is able to suppress the gal3 phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have analyzed a GAL1 mutant (gal1-r strain) of the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis which lacks the induction of beta-galactosidase and the enzymes of the Leloir pathway in the presence of galactose. The data show that the K. lactis GAL1 gene product has, in addition to galactokinase activity, a function required for induction of the lactose system. This regulatory function is not dependent on galactokinase activity, as it is still present in a galactokinase-negative mutant (gal1-209). Complementation studies in Saccharomyces cervisiae show that K. lactis GAL1 and gal1-209, but not gal1-r, complement the gal3 mutation. We conclude that the regulatory function of GAL1 in K. lactis soon after induction is similar to the function of GAL3 in S. cerevisiae.

Selection and analysis of galactose metabolic pathway variants of a mouse liver cell line.

To study the genetic expression and regulation of galactose-metabolizing enzymes, we mutagenized the mouse liver H2.35 cell line and selected for cell clones resistant to the toxic galactose analog, 2-deoxy-D-galactose (2-DOG). One cloned line, designated H12.10, was stably resistant to high levels of 2-DOG and was completely deficient in galactokinase activity. Galactokinase activity and growth sensitivity to 2-DOG could be restored by transfecting H12.10 cells with a plasmid containing the Escherichia coli galactokinase (galK) gene fused to a eucaryotic promoter; thus, the 2-DOG selection could be directed against transfected recombinant constructs in a liver cell line. We also found that H2.35 cells could not utilize galactose as a primary carbon source because of a deficiency in galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase; a variant line of H2.35 cells selected in galactose medium expressed higher levels of uridyltransferase activity. Finally, we found that in all mammalian cell lines tested, galactokinase expression was the same whether the medium contained glucose, galactose, or both sugars. These studies demonstrate differences between mammalian cells and yeast cells in the regulation of gal enzymes, and they define different schemes for obtaining altered expression of genes in the galactose metabolic pathway. The isogenic liver cell lines described here can also serve as model systems for studying galactosemias, which are inherited disorders of galactose metabolism in humans.

Selection and analysis of galactose metabolic pathway variants of a mouse liver cell line

To study the genetic expression and regulation of galactose-metabolizing enzymes, we mutagenized the mouse liver H2.35 cell line and selected for cell clones resistant to the toxic galactose analog, 2-deoxy-D-galactose (2-DOG). One cloned line, designated H12.10, was stably resistant to high levels of 2-DOG and was completely deficient in galactokinase activity. Galactokinase activity and growth sensitivity to 2-DOG could be restored by transfecting H12.10 cells with a plasmid containing the Escherichia coli galactokinase (galK) gene fused to a eucaryotic promoter; thus, the 2-DOG selection could be directed against transfected recombinant constructs in a liver cell line. We also found that H2.35 cells could not utilize galactose as a primary carbon source because of a deficiency in galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase; a variant line of H2.35 cells selected in galactose medium expressed higher levels of uridyltransferase activity. Finally, we found that in all mammalian cell lines tested, galactokinase expression was the same whether the medium contained glucose, galactose, or both sugars. These studies demonstrate differences between mammalian cells and yeast cells in the regulation of gal enzymes, and they define different schemes for obtaining altered expression of genes in the galactose metabolic pathway. The isogenic liver cell lines described here can also serve as model systems for studying galactosemias, which are inherited disorders of galactose metabolism in humans.

Analysis of the GAL3 signal transduction pathway activating GAL4 protein-dependent transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL/MEL regulon genes are normally induced within minutes of galactose addition, but gal3 mutants exhibit a 3-5-day induction lag. We have discovered that this long-term adaptation (LTA) phenotype conferred by gal3 is complemented by multiple copies of the GAL1 gene. Based on this result and the striking similarity between the GAL3 and GAL1 protein sequences we attempted to detect galactokinase activity that might be associated with the GAL3 protein. By both in vivo and in vitro tests the GAL3 gene product does not appear to catalyze a galactokinase-like reaction. In complementary experiments, Escherichia coli galactokinase expressed in yeast was shown to complement the gal1 but not the gal3 mutation. Thus, the complementation activity provided by GAL1 is not likely due to galactokinase activity, but rather due to a distinct GAL3-like activity. Overall, the results indicate that GAL1 encodes a bifunctional protein. In related experiments we tested for function of the LTA induction pathway in gal3 cells deficient for other gene functions. It has been known for some time that gal3gal1, gal3gal7, gal3gal10, and gal3 rho- are incapable of induction. We constructed isogenic haploid strains bearing the gal3 mutation in combination with either gal15 or pgi1 mutations: the gal15 and pgi1 blocks are not specific for the galactose pathway in contrast to the gal1, gal7 and gal10 blocks. The gal3gal5 and gal3pgi1 double mutants were not inducible, whereas both the gal5 and pgi1 single mutants were inducible. We conclude that, in addition to the GAL3-like activity of GAL1, functions beyond the galactose-specific GAL1, GAL7 and GAL10 enzymes are required for the LTA induction pathway.

GAL4 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae activates the lactose-galactose regulon of Kluyveromyces lactis and creates a new phenotype: glucose repression of the regulon.

A Kluyveromyces lactis mutant defective in lac9 cannot induce beta-galactosidase or galactokinase activity and is unable to grow on lactose or galactose. When this strain was transformed with the GAL4 positive regulatory gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae it was able to grow on lactose or galactose as the sole carbon source. Transformants bearing GAL4 exhibited a 4.5-h generation time on galactose or lactose, versus 24 h for the nontransformed lac9 strain. A K. lactis lac9 strain bearing two integrated copies of GAL4 showed 3.5-fold induction of beta-galactosidase activity and 1.8-fold induction of galactokinase activity compared with 15.6-fold and 4.4-fold induction, respectively, for the LAC9 wild-type strain. In transformants bearing 10 integrated copies of GAL4, the induced level of beta-galactosidase was nearly as high as in the LAC9 wild-type strain. In addition to restoring lactose and galactose gene expression, GAL4 in K. lactis lac9 mutant cells conferred a new phenotype, severe glucose repression of lactose and galactose-inducible enzymes. Glucose repressed beta-galactosidase activity 35- to 74-fold and galactokinase activity 14- to 31-fold in GAL4 transformants, compared with the 2-fold glucose repression exhibited in the LAC9 wild-type strain. The S. cerevisiae MEL1 gene was repressed fourfold by glucose in LAC9 cells. In contrast, the MEL1 gene in a GAL4 lac9 strain was repressed 20-fold by glucose. These results indicate that the GAL4 and LAC9 proteins activate transcription in a similar manner. However, either the LAC9 or GAL4 gene or a product of these genes responds differently to glucose in K. lactis.

GAL4 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae activates the lactose-galactose regulon of Kluyveromyces lactis and creates a new phenotype: glucose repression of the regulon

A Kluyveromyces lactis mutant defective in lac9 cannot induce beta-galactosidase or galactokinase activity and is unable to grow on lactose or galactose. When this strain was transformed with the GAL4 positive regulatory gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae it was able to grow on lactose or galactose as the sole carbon source. Transformants bearing GAL4 exhibited a 4.5-h generation time on galactose or lactose, versus 24 h for the nontransformed lac9 strain. A K. lactis lac9 strain bearing two integrated copies of GAL4 showed 3.5-fold induction of beta-galactosidase activity and 1.8-fold induction of galactokinase activity compared with 15.6-fold and 4.4-fold induction, respectively, for the LAC9 wild-type strain. In transformants bearing 10 integrated copies of GAL4, the induced level of beta-galactosidase was nearly as high as in the LAC9 wild-type strain. In addition to restoring lactose and galactose gene expression, GAL4 in K. lactis lac9 mutant cells conferred a new phenotype, severe glucose repression of lactose and galactose-inducible enzymes. Glucose repressed beta-galactosidase activity 35- to 74-fold and galactokinase activity 14- to 31-fold in GAL4 transformants, compared with the 2-fold glucose repression exhibited in the LAC9 wild-type strain. The S. cerevisiae MEL1 gene was repressed fourfold by glucose in LAC9 cells. In contrast, the MEL1 gene in a GAL4 lac9 strain was repressed 20-fold by glucose. These results indicate that the GAL4 and LAC9 proteins activate transcription in a similar manner. However, either the LAC9 or GAL4 gene or a product of these genes responds differently to glucose in K. lactis.

5-Azacytidine increases HbF production and reduces anemia in sickle cell disease: dose-response analysis of subcutaneous and oral dosage regimens

Varying doses of 5-azacytidine (5-aza) were given to four sickle cell individuals for 500, 200, 100, and 30 days. The percentage of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) containing reticulocytes (F reticulocytes) increased two- to five-fold within five days of 5-aza therapy in all patients, with a two- to three-fold rapid response (less than 48 hours after initial dose) in three patients. Reticulocyte suppression was not observed prior to, during, or after therapy in those patients who responded within 48 hours. Subcutaneous 5-aza was given in 35-day courses consisting of every day, every other day, or three consecutive days a week. No marrow toxicity was observed on any of the regimens. For three patients, the highest average F reticulocyte level was observed on the three consecutive day a week regimen. Oral 5-aza, given with tetrahydrouridine, produced comparable F reticulocyte response. In the two patients treated for more than 100 days, Hb levels increased to 11 to 12 and 9 g/dL, MCV and MCH increased by 25%, and lysate HbF levels peaked at 12% and 20%. Fetal erythroid characteristics (i- antigen, galactokinase activity, and G gamma/A gamma ratios) did not correlate with maximal HbF production. The frequency of vasoocclusive crises appeared to decrease in both patients followed for more than 100 days.