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Vol. 19, Issue 9, 3676-3690, September 2008

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The Meiosis-Specific Sid2p-related Protein Slk1p Regulates Forespore Membrane Assembly in Fission Yeast

Hongyan Yan^*, Wanzhong Ge^*, Ting Gang Chew^*, Jeng Yeong Chow^*, Dannel McCollum, Aaron M. Neiman, and Mohan K. Balasubramanian^*

*Cell Division Laboratory, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory and the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5215

Submitted October 22, 2007; Revised May 30, 2008; Accepted June 6, 2008
Monitoring Editor: Daniel J. Lew

Cytokinesis in all organisms involves the creation of membranous barriers that demarcate individual daughter cells. In fission yeast, a signaling module termed the septation initiation network (SIN) plays an essential role in the assembly of new membranes and cell wall during cytokinesis. In this study, we have characterized Slk1p, a protein-kinase related to the SIN component Sid2p. Slk1p is expressed specifically during meiosis and localizes to the spindle pole bodies (SPBs) during meiosis I and II in a SIN-dependent manner. Slk1p also localizes to the forespore membrane during sporulation. Cells lacking Slk1p display defects associated with sporulation, leading frequently to the formation of asci with smaller and/or fewer spores. The ability of slk1 cells to sporulate, albeit inefficiently, is fully abolished upon compromise of function of Sid2p, suggesting that Slk1p and Sid2p play overlapping roles in sporulation. Interestingly, increased expression of the syntaxin Psy1p rescues the sporulation defect of sid2-250 slk1. Thus, it is likely that Slk1p and Sid2p play a role in forespore membrane assembly by facilitating recruitment of components of the secretory apparatus, such as Psy1p, to allow membrane expansion. These studies thereby provide a novel link between the SIN and vesicle trafficking during cytokinesis.

Address correspondence to: Mohan K. Balasubramanian (mohan{at}tll.org.sg)