The Dysferlin Domain-Only Protein, Spo73, Is Required for Prospore Membrane Extension in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

Prospore membrane formation consists of de novo double-membrane formation, which occurs during the developmental process of sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Membranes are formed into their proper size and shape, and thus, prospore membrane formation has been studied as a general model of membrane formation. We identified SPO73 , previously shown to be required for spore wall formation, as an additional gene involved in prospore membrane extension. Genetic and cell biological analyses suggested that Spo73 functions on the prospore membrane with other factors in prospore membrane extension, counteracting the bending force of the prospore membrane. Spo73 is the first dysferlin domain-only protein ever analyzed. The dysferlin domain is conserved from yeast to mammals and is found in dysferlin proteins, which are involved in dysferlinopathy, although the precise function of the domain is unknown. Continued analysis of Spo73 will contribute to our understanding of the function of dysferlin domains and dysferlinopathy.