Disruption of ribosomal protein L21 in fission yeast leads to cell adhesion

Abstract:

[Objective] To determine the function of ribosome in fission yeast, while ribosomal protein L21 expression were disrupted. [Methods] We deleted rpl21-1 or rpl21-2 in the genome of fission yeast, by exchanging homologous regions. Determination of the ribosome synthesis and observation of the physiological properties were performed in rpl21-1Δ cells and rpl21-2Δ cells cultured in YEPD medium. [Results] Total expressed RPL21 in the rpl21-1Δ cells and rpl21-2Δ cells, including RPL21-1 and RPL21-2, was reduced by 66.5% and 58.7%, with the synthetic ribosome relevant reduced 62.8% and 50.4%, compared with wild type cells. In YEPD medium, both of the rpl21-1Δ cells and rpl21-2Δ cells were flocculated. This flocculation was suppressed by heterogeneous expression of RPL21-1 in the rpl21-1Δ strain or RPL21-2 in the rpl21-2Δ strain. [Conclusion] We suggest that it may be a common feature that reduction of ribosome level could trigger flocculation by disruption of any ribosomal protein expression in fission yeast.