Biology subjects

Kafri, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Kafri, M..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Evolution of a genome-architecture-encoded gene regulation system in trypanosomatids

Transcriptional regulation of protein-coding genes is a hallmark of eukaryotic gene expression. Yet, a group of parasitic protists, trypanosomatids, appear to lack this capability. Here, we analyzed genomic, nascent transcriptomic, RNA polymerase occupancy and gene organization data to reconstruct the evolutionary origin and biological consequences of their unusual regulatory strategy. Across 59 Discoba protists, we show stepwise evolutionary erosion of conventional transcription regulation components in trypanosomatida lineage, including gene consolidation into polycistronic transcription units (PTUs), shortening of intra-PTU non-coding regions, and depletion of transcription factors and their enriched DNA-binding motifs. This transition was associated with near-constitutive expression of most genes, indicating broad loss of conditional gene expression. However, trypanosomatids retain some differential regulation at the PTU level, with >70% PTUs featuring significantly different nascent transcription than their neighbors or resident chromosomes. Moreover, gene expression is not uniform within PTUs: nascent transcription, translation efficiency, and protein abundance progressively decline with distance from the transcription start site. Consistent with this architecture-encoded regulatory logic, co-complex subunits and co-pathway enzymes preferentially occupy adjacent positions within PTUs despite each PTUs overall functional heterogeneity. These findings reveal an evolutionary shift from gene-specific transcriptional regulation toward a regime where genome architecture becomes a regulator of gene expression.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Biogenesis, engineering and function of membranes in the CO2-fixing pyrenoid

Summary ParagraphApproximately one-third of global CO2 assimilation is performed by the pyrenoid1, a liquid-like organelle found in most algae and some plants2. Specialized membranes are hypothesized to drive CO2 assimilation in the pyrenoid by delivering concentrated CO23,4, but their biogenesis and function have not been experimentally characterized. Here, we show that homologous proteins SAGA1 and MITH1 mediate the biogenesis of the pyrenoid membrane tubules in the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and are sufficient to reconstitute pyrenoid-traversing membranes in a heterologous system, the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. SAGA1 localizes to the regions where thylakoid membranes transition into tubules and is necessary to initiate tubule formation. MITH1 localizes to the tubules and is necessary for their extension through the pyrenoid. Tubule-deficient mutants exhibit growth defects under CO2-limiting conditions, providing evidence for the function of membrane tubules in CO2 delivery to the pyrenoid. Furthermore, these mutants form multiple aberrant condensates of pyrenoid matrix, indicating that a normal tubule network promotes the coalescence of a single pyrenoid. The reconstitution of pyrenoid-traversing membranes in a plant represents a key milestone toward engineering a functional pyrenoid into crops for improving crop yields. More broadly, our study demonstrates the functional importance of pyrenoid membranes, identifies key biogenesis factors, and paves the way for the molecular characterization of pyrenoid membranes across the tree of life.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Systematic identification and characterization of novel genes in the regulation and biogenesis of photosynthetic machinery

Photosynthesis is central to food production and the Earths biogeochemistry, yet the molecular basis for its regulation remains poorly understood. Here, using high-throughput genetics in the model eukaryotic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we identify with high confidence (FDR<0.11) 70 previously-uncharacterized genes required for photosynthesis. We then provide a resource of mutant proteomes that enables functional characterization of these novel genes by revealing their relationship to known genes. The data allow assignment of 34 novel genes to the biogenesis or regulation of one or more specific photosynthetic complexes. Additional analysis uncovers at least seven novel critical regulatory proteins, including five Photosystem I mRNA maturation factors and two master regulators: MTF1, which impacts chloroplast gene expression directly; and PMR1, which impacts expression via nuclear-expressed factors. Our work provides a rich resource identifying novel regulatory and functional genes and placing them into pathways, thereby opening the door to a system-level understanding of photosynthesis. HighlightsO_LIHigh-confidence identification of 70 previously-uncharacterized genes required for photosynthesis C_LIO_LIProteomic analysis of mutants allows assignment of function to novel genes C_LIO_LICharacterization of 5 novel Photosystem I mRNA maturation factors validates this resource C_LIO_LIMTF1 and PMR1 identified as master regulators of photosynthesis C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Gene transcription as a limiting factor in protein production and cell growth

Growth rate and cell size are principle characteristics of proliferating cells, whose values depend on cellular biosynthetic processes in a way poorly understood. Protein production is critical for growth, and we therefore examined for processes limiting this production. Burdening cells with an excess of inert protein changed endogenous gene expression similarly to transcription-perturbing mutants, was epistatic to these mutants, but did not deplete respective factors from gene promoters. Mathematical modeling, corroborated by experiments, attributed this signature to a feedback which proportionally increases all endogenous gene expression, but lags at fast initiating genes already transcribed close to the maximal possible rate. As a possible benefit of maximizing transcription rates, we discuss a conflict between cell growth rate and size, which emerges above a critical cell size set by transcript abundance. We propose that biochemical limits on protein and mRNA production define the characteristic values of cell size and division time.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Principles Of Cellular Resource Allocation Revealed By Condition-Dependent Proteome Profiling

Growing cells coordinate protein translation with metabolic rates. Central to this coordination is ribosome production. Ribosomes drive cell growth, but translation of ribosomal proteins competes with production of other proteins. Theory shows that cell growth is maximized when all expressed ribosomes are constantly translating. To examine whether budding yeast function at this limit of full ribosomal usage, we profiled the proteomes of cells growing in different environments. We find that cells produce an excess of ribosomal proteins, amounting to a constant {approx}8% of the proteome. Accordingly, {approx}25% of ribosomal proteins expressed in rapidly growing cells do not contribute to translation. This fraction increases as growth rate decreases. These excess ribosomal proteins are employed during nutrient upshift or when forcing unneeded expression. We suggest that steadily growing cells prepare for conditions that demand increased translation by producing excess ribosomes, at the expense of lower steady-state growth rate.

cell biology↗