Expression of ZRC1 coding for suppressor of zinc toxicity is induced by zinc-starvation stress in Zap1-dependent fashion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The ZRC1 gene was cloned as a multicopy suppressor of zinc toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Zrc1 belongs to CDF (cation diffusion facilitator) family. The transporters belonging to this family are thought to play an important role in metal detoxification. However, we found that cell growth of zrc1Delta mutant was lowered under the metal-limited conditions, which was restored by zinc. The Zap1 transcription factor is crucial for expression of several genes responsive to zinc-starvation stress. The expression of ZRC1 was induced in Zap1-dependent fashion when the intracellular zinc level was decreased and this induction was repressed by zinc. These results imply an important role of Zrc1 in the zinc-starvation stress. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.