Synthetic lethality to elucidate cardiolipin function.
Guiling Li, Miriam Greenberg
Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, 5047 Gullen Mall, Detroit, MI, 48202, UNITED STATES
Cardiolipin (CL) is a unique phospholipid with dimeric structure, carrying four acyl groups and two negative charges. It is predominantly found in the mitochondrial inner membrane and plays a role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. For decades, the function of CL has been unresolved, although it is widely believed to be related to its interaction with proteins. The biosynthesis of CL occurs in three enzymatic steps, and CL synthase catalyzes the final step. This enzyme is encoded by the CRD1 gene. Our lab was the first to clone the yeast CRD1 gene and to construct a crd1 null mutant, which is a powerful tool to carry out in vivo studies of CL function. I have implemented a synthetic lethal genetic screen to address why CL is lethal at elevated temperature. The synthetic lethal screen is a useful method with which to elucidate the function of a gene product. In this study, five mutants were identified that are synthetic lethal in the crd1∆ background. Of these mutants, 1 is dominant, 4 are recessive. They belong to at least three genetic complementation groups. Cloning of the CRD1 synthetic lethal genes is in progress.
Return to YGM 2004 Home at SGD