Synthesis of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, the major structural component of the yeast cell wall, is synchronized with the budding cycle. Membrane-bound, GTP-stimulated (1-->3)-beta-glucan synthase was dissociated by stepwise treatment with salt and detergents into two soluble fractions, A and B, both required for activity. Fraction A was purified about 800-fold by chromatography on Mono Q and Sephacryl S-300 columns. During purification, GTP binding to protein correlated with synthase complementing activity. A 20-kDa GTP-binding protein was identified by photolabeling in the purified preparation. This preparation no longer required GTP for activity, but incubation with another fraction from the Mono Q column (A1) led to hydrolysis of bound GTP to GDP with a concomitant return of the GTP requirement. Thus, fraction A1 appears to contain a GTPase-activating protein. These results show that the GTP-binding protein not only regulates glucan synthase activity but can be regulated in turn, constituting a potential link between cell cycle controls and wall morphogenesis.

• PMID: 7983071
• PubMed

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Journal Article

Authors

Mol PC, Park HM, Mullins JT, Cabib E

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