Mutations in the IDH2 gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the yeast NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase can be suppressed by mutations in the CIT1 gene encoding citrate synthase and other genes of oxidative metabolism.

During a screen for respiration competent yeast mutants that were unable to grow with acetate as a carbon source, two idh2 cit1 double mutants were identified. These strains were defective in the catalytic subunit of the NAD(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The strains harboring the idh2 alleles from these strains had two unusual phenotypes. First, their growth on many nonfermentable carbon sources was much poorer than strains containing other idh2 mutations. Second, the poor growth phenotype could be suppressed by the presence of mutations in CIT1 and other genes encoding oxidative functions. Spontaneous suppressor mutants that restore fast growth on glycerol medium to strains harboring two idh2 alleles were isolated, and a large percentage of the suppressor mutations have been identified within the CIT1 gene and at several other loci. Elevated levels of several TCA cycle proteins were observed in these idh2 mutants that were not observed in the presence of suppressing cit1 mutations. Citrate and isocitrate concentrations were also elevated in the idh2 mutants, but probably not to toxic levels. Five idh2 alleles were sequenced to understand the defects of the two classes of mutations. Sequence analysis indicated that the poor growth phenotype was caused by the loss of Idh2p protein. Similarly, eight cit1 alleles were sequenced to understand their characteristics as glycerol suppressors of idh2. These and other studies indicate that any mutation within CIT1 was capable of suppressing the idh2 mutations. Several models to explain these interactions are discussed.