Formation of Subnuclear Foci Is a Unique Spatial Behavior of Mating MAPKs during Hyperosmotic Stress

SummaryThe assembly of signaling components and transcription factors in ordered subcellular structures is increasingly implicated as an important regulatory strategy for modulating the activity of cellular pathways. Here, we document the inducible formation of subnuclear foci formed by two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae upon hyperosmotic stress. Specifically, we demonstrate that activation of the hyperosmotic stress response pathway induces the mating pathway MAPK Fus3 and the filamentation pathway MAPK Kss1 to form foci in the nucleus that are organized by their shared downstream transcription factor Ste12. Foci formation of colocalized Ste12, Fus3, and Kss1 requires the kinase activity of the hyperosmotic response MAPK Hog1 and correlates with attenuated signaling in the mating pathway. Conversely, activation of the mating pathway prevents foci formation upon subsequent hyperosmotic stress. These results suggest that Hog1-mediated spatial localization of Fus3 and Ste12 into subnuclear foci could contribute to uncoupling the pheromone and osmolarity pathways, which share signaling components, under high-osmolarity conditions.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Yeast mating pathway MAPKs Fus3 and Kss1 form subnuclear foci under hyperosmotic stress ► The transcription factor Ste12 is present in the foci and required for foci formation ► Foci formation requires the kinase activity of the hyperosmotic stress MAPK Hog1 ► Foci may prevent mating pathway activation in response to hyperosmotic stress