Yeast proteins can activate expression through regulatory sequences of the amdS gene of Aspergillus nidulans.

The upstream regulatory region of the amdS gene of Aspergillus nidulans contains a CCAAT sequence known to be important in setting both basal and depressed levels of expression. We have investigated whether the CCAAT-binding HAP2/3/4 complex of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can recognise this sequence in an amdS context. Sequences from the 5' region of amdS were cloned in front of the CYC1-lacZ fusion gene bearing a minimal promoter and transformed into wild-type and hap2 strains of yeast. This study has indicated that amdS sequences are capable of promoting regulated expression of the fusion gene in response to carbon limitation. The yeast HAP2/3/4 complex can recognise the amdS CCAAT sequence and activate expression from this sequence. In addition, the results indicate that other yeast proteins can also regulate expression from the A. nidulans amdS 5'sequences under carbon-limiting conditions.