Rapid turnover of transcription factor Rim101 confirms a flexible adaptation mechanism against environmental stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells activate the Rim101 pathway to adapt to alkaline and salt stresses. On activation of this pathway, the transcription factor Rim101 undergoes proteolytic activation and regulates the expression of responsive genes. We found Rim101 to be a short-lived protein with a half-life of approximately 15 min. Its rapid turnover was supposedly mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Excess accumulation of the processed active Rim101 through its over-expression conferred tolerance to both alkaline and salt stresses in yeast cells; in contrast, it had detrimental effects under cadmium stress condition. Cadmium ion inhibited proteolytic activation of Rim101, implying reciprocal interaction between the Rim101 pathway and cadmium stress. Our results showed yeast cells to be equipped with two protective systems to prevent overaccumulation of the processed active Rim101; Rim101 processing is inhibited when Rim101 level is high, and turnover of processed Rim101 is accelerated when it is abundant. Collectively, the results confirmed the flexible aspect of stress response in yeast cell; the cells not only prevent excess activation of one stress-responsive pathway but also facilitate its attenuation to cope with other environmental stresses.