For plasmids that express full-length Phx1, N-terminally truncated form (Phx1CD; 239–942 aa), and a hybrid form with Pap1 DNA-binding domain (Pap1DBD-Phx1CD; 1–117 aa of Pap1 linked with Phx1CD), appropriate DNA fragments were synthesized this website by PCR with specific primer pairs, using genomic DNA as a template and digested by proper restriction

enzymes. For the hybrid form, the PCR fragments for Pap1DBD and Phx1CD were ligated. The final PCR products were cloned into multi-copy pREP42 vector [33]. pWH5-phx1 + was constructed by cloning the whole phx1 + gene with its own promoter into the HindIII-cut pWH5 plasmid [34]. All recombinant plasmids were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. Growth and maintenance of S. pombe strains were generally done as described by Moreno et al.[35, 36] in Edinburgh minimal medium (EMM) with appropriate

supplements. Nitrogen-free medium was prepared by eliminating ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) from EMM whereas the low glucose medium contained only 0.5% of glucose, instead of 2% of glucose in EMM. For conjugation and sporulation, malt Vorinostat manufacturer extract (ME) medium (3% malt extract) was used. Construction and intracellular localization of Phx1-GFP fusion protein A AP26113 nmr C-terminal 1535 nt of the phx1 + gene (ΔNTphx1) was generated by PCR, digested with NdeI and BamHI, and cloned in front of the EGFP gene in pRIP42EGFP-C[37] to allow GFP-fusion at the Gefitinib cost C-terminus. For chromosomal integration, the recombinant plasmid was linearized by KpnI at a site within the phx1 + gene and transformed into ED665 strain. The correct integrant (ESXF5; phx1 + EGFP/ΔNTphx1::ura4 + in ED665) created by double crossing-over was selected through ura4 + marker and confirmed by both Southern hybridization and PCR. The fusion

strain was grown in EMM to exponential or stationary phase, and was examined for GFP signal. The fluorescence and DIC (differential interference contrast) images of the living cells were captured by Zeiss Axiovert 200 M microscope. Representative images from more than three separate experiments were presented. Northern blot analysis RNA samples prepared from EMM-grown cells at different conditions were separated on agarose gels containing formaldehyde, and transferred onto a Hybond-N+ membrane (Amersham) for hybridization. Gene-specific probes for phx1 + , ctt1 + , trr1 + , and gpx1 + genes were generated by PCR and radio-actively labeled as recommended by the manufacturer. After hybridization, signals were visualized and quantified by PhosphorImager (BAS-5000) with Multi Gauge (Fuji) program. Quantitative real-time PCR Each RNA sample (1 μg/μl) was reverse-transcribed into cDNA using RevertAid™ Reverse Transcriptase kit (Fermentas).