Signaling and Circuitry of Multiple MAPK Pathways Revealed by a Matrix of Global Gene Expression Profiles

TLDR

Global transcript analysis captures biological responses to activation and perturbation of signal transduction pathways. The authors performed genome‑wide transcript profiling of yeast pheromone response, used genetic manipulations to probe gene‑expression changes in signaling, cell‑cycle, and morphogenesis, and constructed a two‑dimensional hierarchical matrix of 383 highly regulated genes from 46 diverse conditions. Co‑expressed gene subsets revealed signaling activity, cross‑talk, and overlap among MAPK pathways, and Fus3p and Kss1p profiles showed functional overlap between filamentous growth and mating responses.

Abstract

Genome-wide transcript profiling was used to monitor signal transduction during yeast pheromone response. Genetic manipulations allowed analysis of changes in gene expression underlying pheromone signaling, cell cycle control, and polarized morphogenesis. A two-dimensional hierarchical clustered matrix, covering 383 of the most highly regulated genes, was constructed from 46 diverse experimental conditions. Diagnostic subsets of coexpressed genes reflected signaling activity, cross talk, and overlap of multiple mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Analysis of the profiles specified by two different MAPKs—Fus3p and Kss1p—revealed functional overlap of the filamentous growth and mating responses. Global transcript analysis reflects biological responses associated with the activation and perturbation of signal transduction pathways.