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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.20.726645

Investigating the role of phosphodiesterase Pde2 in coordinating the yeast Environmental Stress Response

Kocik, R. A.·Ahrens, J.·Gasch, A. P.
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Abstract

Yeast responding to acute stress reallocate cellular resources, in part via the Environmental Stress Response (ESR) that induces stress-defense genes while repressing ribosome-biogenesis and growth genes. The purpose and regulation of coordinated induction and repression is incompletely understood, but both responses are influenced by ESR transcription factors Msn2 and Msn4 (Msn2/4). Here we used single-cell microscopy and transcriptomic analysis to investigate the role of upstream regulator Pde2 in ESR regulation and post-stress fitness. Loss of PDE2 weakened and shortened Msn2 activation following salt stress and produced muted induction of Msn2/4 targets, similar to a msn2{triangleup}msn4{triangleup} strain. In contrast, Pde2 had at most a minor impact on ESR repressor Dot6, yet was important for repression of its targets beyond Msn2/4 influence. Consistent with our recent resource-reallocation model, pde2{triangleup} cells had normal or faster post-stress growth rates, despite weaker activation of the ESR. We discuss implications for ESR regulation and function.

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Kocik, R. A., Ahrens, J., Gasch, A. P.. 2026-05-22. Investigating the role of phosphodiesterase Pde2 in coordinating the yeast Environmental Stress Response. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.20.726645

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