Cdc73 majorly regulates apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via the H3K36 methylation

Abstract

AIF1 overexpression is intimately linked to the sensitivity of the yeast cells towards hydrogen peroxide or acetic acid. Therefore, studying the mechanism of its regulation in the cell would provide a significant understanding of the factors ultimately guiding yeast apoptosis. In this report, we establish the time-dependent induction of AIF1 in hydrogen peroxide stress. Additionally, the AIF1 expression in hydrogen peroxide is mediated by two transcription factors, Yap5 (DNA binding) and Cdc73 (non-DNA binding). Furthermore, substituting the H3K36 residue with another significantly abrogates the AIF1 expression. However, substituting H3K4 or H3K79 with A does not affect the AIF1 expression level under hydrogen peroxide stress. Altogether, the significant reduction of AIF1 expression in cdc73{Delta} cells plausibly reflects the reduced H3K36me3 modification and is independent of the H3K4me3 modification.