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. 1989 Nov;171(11):5795–5802. doi: 10.1128/jb.171.11.5795-5802.1989

N alpha acetylation is required for normal growth and mating of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

F J Lee 1, L W Lin 1, J A Smith 1
PMCID: PMC210438  PMID: 2681143

Abstract

Acetylation is the most frequently occurring chemical modification of the alpha-NH2 group of eucaryotic proteins and is catalyzed by N alpha-acetyltransferase. The yeast enzyme is encoded by the AAA1 (amino-terminal alpha-amino acetyltransferase) gene. A null mutation (aaa1-1) created by gene replacement, while not lethal, slows cell growth and results in heterogeneous colony morphology. In comparison with wild-type cells, aaa1-1/aaa1-1 diploids cannot enter stationary phase, are sporulation defective, and are sensitive to heat shock. In addition, the aaa1-1 mutation specifically reduces mating functions of MATa cells. These results indicate that N alpha acetylation plays a crucial role in yeast cell growth and mating.

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Selected References

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