Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains several epigenetic elements known as yeast prions. Our laboratory discovered the yeast prion [SWI+], whose protein determinant is Swi1, a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. Formation of [SWI+] results in abolishment of multicellular features and a partial loss-of-function phenotype of non-glucose carbon source usage. Our laboratory...
Prions are self-perpetuating, alternative protein conformations associated with neurological diseases and normal cellular functions. Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains many endogenous prions – providing a powerful system to study prionization. Previously, the Li Lab demonstrated that Swi1, a component of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex, can form the prion [SWI+]. A small region,...