Complementation of Human and Arabidopsis mod5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and induction of the prion form of Human and Arabidopsis MOD5

Abstract

The gene MOD5 is highly conserved across all species from bacteria to mammals. Thus far, it is known to form prions [MOD+] only in yeast. The aim of this work is to test if human and Arabidopsis MOD5 can form prions in yeast. This is done utilizing the properties of two yeast strains (MT-8, white color and ADE+ if complements) and mod5? trm1? (5-FU resistant if they complement) after transforming them with human and Arabidopsis MOD5. If the foreign MOD5 is found to be complementary to that of yeast, then their prion form can be induced by exposure to other prions in presence of high concentrations of Fluconazole. Initial tests show that both human and Arabidopsis MOD5 are complementing in yeast to some extent, Arabidopsis more so than human. Therefore an attempt at inducing the prion form of the foreign MOD5 can be started.