Research

The transcriptional network activated by Cln3 cyclin at the G1-to-S transition of the yeast cell cycle

Francisco Ferrezuelo, Neus Colomina, Bruce Futcher and Marti Aldea

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Genome Biology 2010, 11:R67 doi:10.1186/gb-2010-11-6-r67

Published: 23 June 2010

Abstract (provisional)

Background

The G1-to-S transition of the cell cycle in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves an extensive transcriptional program driven by transcription factors SBF (Swi4-Swi6) and MBF (Mbp1-Swi6). Activation of these factors ultimately depends on the G1 cyclin Cln3.

Results

To determine the transcriptional targets of Cln3 and their dependence on SBF or MBF, we first have used DNA microarrays to interrogate gene expression upon Cln3 overexpression in synchronized cultures of strains lacking components of SBF and/or MBF. Secondly, we have integrated this expression dataset together with other heterogeneous data sources into a single probabilistic model based on Bayesian statistics. Our analysis has produced more than 200 transcription factor-target assignments, validated by ChIP assays and by functional enrichment. Our predictions show higher internal coherence and predictive power than previous classifications. Our results support a model whereby SBF and MBF may be differentially activated by Cln3.

Conclusions

Integration of heterogeneous genome-wide datasets is key to build accurate transcriptional networks. By such integration, here we provide a reliable transcriptional network at the G1-to-S transition in the budding yeast cell cycle. Our results suggest that to improve the reliability of predictions we need to feed our models with more informative experimental data.