Genetic and physiological aspects of resistance to 5-fluoropyrimidines in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

J Bacteriol. 1970 Jun;102(3):607-15. doi: 10.1128/jb.102.3.607-615.1970.

Abstract

Mutants resistant to 5-fluorouracil, 5-fluorocytosine, and 5-fluorouridine were selected in yeast, and the mechanisms of their resistance were investigated. The investigated mutations map in seven different loci. (i) A mutation at the locus FUI 1 gives specifically resistance to 5-fluorouridine. (ii) Two loci are involved in a specific 5-fluorocytosine resistance: a mutation at locus FCY 1 produces a loss of cytosine deaminase activity; a mutation at locus FCY 2 results in the loss of the activity of a cytosine-specific permease. (iii) A mutation at the locus FUR 4 gives a simultaneous resistance to 5-fluorouracil and to 5-fluorouridine by loss in the activity of the uracil-specific permease. (iv) We found three types of mutants in the locus FUR 1. One is dominant and weakly resistant to 5-fluorouracil, 5-fluorocytosine, and 5-fluorouridine. The two others are recessive and are unable to catalyze one of the steps involved in uracil transformation into uridine 5'-monophosphate; this block-age explains their strong resistance to 5-fluorouracil and 5-fluorocytosine. Of these two mutants, one is resistant to 5-fluorouridine and the other is not. (v) Mutations at locus FUR 2 give resistance to 5-fluorouracil, 5-fluorocytosine, and 5-fluorouridine. These mutations are dominant and lead to a loss in the feedback regulation of the aspartic transcarbamylase activity by uridine triphosphate. (vi) The mutants FUR 3 are resistant to 5-fluorocytosine and 5-fluorouridine. They are dominant and physiologically related to the mutants of the locus FUR 1 but their mechanism of resistance is not understood.

MeSH terms

  • Aminohydrolases / metabolism
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Cell-Free System
  • Chromatography, Paper
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cytosine / metabolism
  • Cytosine / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial*
  • Fluorine / pharmacology*
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology*
  • Genetics, Microbial*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutation*
  • Phosphorus Isotopes
  • Phosphotransferases / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces / drug effects*
  • Saccharomyces / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces / metabolism
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Transferases / metabolism
  • Uracil / metabolism
  • Uridine / metabolism
  • Uridine / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Phosphorus Isotopes
  • Fluorine
  • Uracil
  • Cytosine
  • Transferases
  • Phosphotransferases
  • Aminohydrolases
  • Fluorouracil
  • Uridine