INCREASED DOSAGE OF A TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVATOR GENE ENHANCES IRON-LIMITED GROWTH OF SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE

We have selected for genes that, when present in multiple copies, enhance growth of wild-type cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in an iron-limiting medium. A gene designated FUP1, for 'ferric utilization proficient', was isolated by this approach. Increased dosage of FUP1 reduces the concentration of iron in the medium required for efficient growth and confers elevated levels of iron uptake activity in iron-limited cells. Disruption of the FUP1 locus reduces wild-type iron uptake rates by 2-fold in cells grown on raffinose medium but has no effect on glucose-grown cells. DNA sequencing showed that FUP1 encodes a hydrophilic 43 kDa protein identical to MSN1, a gene encoding a transcriptional activator implicated in carbon source regulation. Our results suggest that FUP1/MSN1 also regulates synthesis of gene products involved in iron uptake.