Detection of in vivo protein tyrosine nitration in petite mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Consequence of its formation and significance

Protein tyrosine nitration (PTN) is a selective post-translational modification often associated with physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Tyrosine is modified in the 3-position of the phenolic ring through the addition of a nitro group. In our previous study we first time showed that PTN occurs in vivo in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the present study we observed occurrence of PTN in petite mutant of S. cerevisiae which indicated that PTN is not absolutely dependent on functional mitochondria. Nitration of proteins in S. cerevisiae was also first time confirmed in immunohistochemical study using spheroplasts. Using proteosomal mutants Rpn10Δ, Pre9Δ, we first time showed that the fate of protein nitration in S. cerevisiae was not dependent on proteosomal clearing and probably played vital role in modulating signaling cascades. From our study it is evident that protein tyrosine nitration is a normal physiological event of S. cerevisiae.