YLL058W contributes to sulfur assimilation and homocysteine biosynthesis. Key findings include:
Non-essential redundancy: Cells lacking MET15 (a primary homocysteine synthase) can assimilate inorganic sulfur if YLL058W is functional, challenging earlier assumptions about MET15 indispensability .
Evolutionary conservation: YLL058W homologs are found near unstable telomere regions across species, suggesting selective pressure to retain this backup pathway .
| Reaction Type | Substrates | Products | Pathway Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamma-replacement | OSHS, L-cysteine | L-cystathionine | Cystathionine biosynthesis |
| Gamma-elimination | OSHS | 2-oxobutanoate, succinate, NH₃ | Sulfide detoxification |
The YLL058W antibody has been utilized in:
Protein interaction studies: Affinity Capture-MS revealed self-interaction (homodimerization) of YLL058W, critical for its enzymatic activity .
Genetic screens: Null mutants (yll058wΔ) showed no resistance to selenomethionine (SeMet), distinguishing it from CYS3 paralogs .
Western blotting: Polyclonal antibodies against YLL058W enabled detection of protein expression levels under sulfur-limited conditions .
KEGG: sce:YLL058W
STRING: 4932.YLL058W
YLL058W is a previously uncharacterized gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast) that encodes an alternative homocysteine synthase. Its significance lies in challenging the long-held assumption that Met15 was the only enzyme capable of inorganic sulfur assimilation in yeast. Recent research has demonstrated that YLL058W enables cells lacking Met15 to assimilate enough inorganic sulfur for survival and proliferation, although these cells require exogenous methionine or other organosulfurs for optimal growth in patches or liquid cultures . This discovery has profound implications for the hundreds of experiments that have used MET15 as a genetic marker in foundational studies of eukaryote genetics and systems biology.
The YLL058W antibody is a rabbit-derived polyclonal antibody that specifically targets the YLL058W protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain ATCC 204508 / S288c). It is supplied in liquid form containing 0.03% Proclin 300 preservative, 50% glycerol, and 0.01M PBS at pH 7.4. The antibody has been purified using antigen affinity methods and is IgG isotype. Upon receipt, it should be stored at -20°C or -80°C, with repeated freeze-thaw cycles avoided to maintain efficacy . This antibody has been validated for ELISA and Western blot applications specifically for research purposes.
The YLL058W antibody has been validated specifically for ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and Western blot (WB) applications . These techniques enable researchers to detect and quantify YLL058W protein expression in yeast samples and investigate its regulation under various experimental conditions. When using these methods, proper identification of the antigen should be ensured through appropriate controls.
For optimal antibody performance, YLL058W antibody should be stored at either -20°C or -80°C immediately upon receipt . To preserve antibody activity, it is advisable to aliquot the stock solution into smaller volumes to minimize freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade antibody quality. When working with the antibody, allow it to thaw completely at 4°C before use, and briefly centrifuge to collect the solution at the bottom of the tube. All antibody dilutions should be prepared fresh in appropriate buffers, and working solutions should be kept cold during experiments to maintain binding specificity.
When designing Western blot experiments with YLL058W antibody, consider the following protocol:
Sample preparation:
Extract proteins from yeast cells using mechanical disruption (glass beads) or enzymatic methods
Include protease inhibitors to prevent degradation of target proteins
Quantify total protein concentration using Bradford or BCA assays
Gel electrophoresis and transfer:
Use 10-12% SDS-PAGE gels for optimal separation
Transfer proteins to PVDF or nitrocellulose membranes at 100V for 1 hour or 30V overnight
Antibody incubation:
Block membrane with 5% non-fat milk or BSA in TBST for 1 hour at room temperature
Incubate with YLL058W antibody (1:1000 dilution as starting point) overnight at 4°C
Wash 3× with TBST for 5 minutes each
Incubate with HRP-conjugated anti-rabbit secondary antibody for 1 hour
Wash 3× with TBST for 5 minutes each
Controls:
Include wild-type yeast lysate as positive control
Include YLL058W knockout lysate as negative control if available
Use housekeeping protein detection (e.g., actin) for loading control
For optimal ELISA performance with YLL058W antibody, follow these guidelines:
Plate coating:
Coat high-binding 96-well plates with purified antigen or yeast lysate in carbonate buffer (pH 9.6)
Incubate overnight at 4°C
Wash 3× with PBS containing 0.05% Tween-20 (PBST)
Blocking and antibody incubation:
Block with 3% BSA in PBST for 2 hours at room temperature
Add YLL058W antibody (begin with 1:1000 dilution) in 1% BSA-PBST
Incubate for 2 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C
Wash 5× with PBST
Detection:
Add HRP-conjugated anti-rabbit secondary antibody (1:5000) in 1% BSA-PBST
Incubate for 1 hour at room temperature
Wash 5× with PBST
Develop with TMB substrate and read absorbance at 450nm after stopping with 2N H₂SO₄
To ensure experimental validity, include the following controls:
| Control Type | Purpose | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Positive control | Confirms antibody functionality | Wild-type S. cerevisiae lysate or purified YLL058W protein |
| Negative control | Verifies signal specificity | yll058wΔ strain lysate or non-expressing sample |
| Loading control | Ensures equal sample loading | Detection of housekeeping protein (e.g., actin) |
| Secondary antibody control | Checks for non-specific binding | Omit primary antibody but include secondary antibody |
| Pre-absorption control | Confirms epitope specificity | Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide |
Including these controls allows for proper interpretation of results and troubleshooting if unexpected results occur.
To investigate the functional relationship between YLL058W and Met15 in sulfur metabolism, design experiments that:
Compare protein expression levels under different sulfur conditions:
Use Western blotting with YLL058W antibody to quantify expression in wild-type, met15Δ, and yll058wΔ strains grown in media with varying sulfur sources (inorganic sulfate, methionine, cysteine)
Monitor temporal expression changes during adaptation to sulfur limitation
Perform co-immunoprecipitation studies:
Use YLL058W antibody to pull down protein complexes
Analyze interacting partners by mass spectrometry to identify potential regulatory proteins or metabolic enzymes
Conduct genetic interaction studies:
Create double mutants (met15Δ yll058wΔ) and analyze phenotypes
Use YLL058W antibody to monitor compensatory changes in related proteins
Investigate subcellular localization:
Develop immunofluorescence protocols using YLL058W antibody
Compare localization patterns under different sulfur conditions
This approach will help elucidate how these two pathways complement each other and respond to environmental changes.
To validate YLL058W antibody specificity, employ multiple complementary approaches:
Genetic validation:
Compare antibody signal in wild-type vs. yll058wΔ strains
Use strains expressing epitope-tagged YLL058W and detect with both YLL058W antibody and tag-specific antibody
Biochemical validation:
Perform peptide competition assays by pre-incubating antibody with immunizing peptide
Confirm protein identity by immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Methodological validation:
Test multiple antibody dilutions to establish optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Compare results across different detection methods (chemiluminescence, fluorescence)
Prepare samples using alternative lysis methods to ensure consistent detection
These validation steps ensure that experimental observations truly reflect YLL058W biology rather than artifacts or cross-reactivity.
Post-translational modifications of YLL058W can be studied using the antibody in conjunction with specialized techniques:
Phosphorylation analysis:
Treat lysates with phosphatase before Western blotting
Use Phos-tag gels to separate phosphorylated forms
Perform immunoprecipitation with YLL058W antibody followed by phospho-specific staining or mass spectrometry
Other modifications:
Use specific inhibitors of post-translational modifications (deacetylase inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors)
Perform 2D gel electrophoresis to separate modified forms before Western blotting
Combine with specific antibodies against modifications (ubiquitin, SUMO, methylation)
Functional analysis:
Compare modification patterns under different growth conditions and stressors
Correlate modifications with enzyme activity assays
Engineer mutants at potential modification sites and analyze with YLL058W antibody
This approach can reveal regulatory mechanisms controlling YLL058W activity in response to cellular conditions.
When working with YLL058W antibody, researchers may encounter several common issues:
| Issue | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Weak or no signal | Insufficient protein loaded; inefficient transfer; degraded antibody | Increase protein amount; optimize transfer conditions; use fresh antibody aliquot |
| High background | Insufficient blocking; antibody concentration too high; inadequate washing | Increase blocking time/concentration; dilute antibody further; extend wash steps |
| Multiple bands | Cross-reactivity; protein degradation; post-translational modifications | Use fresh protease inhibitors; validate with knockout controls; optimize antibody dilution |
| Inconsistent results | Variable expression levels; technical inconsistencies; antibody degradation | Standardize growth conditions; follow consistent protocols; aliquot antibody upon receipt |
For persistent issues, consider antibody validation using recombinant YLL058W protein or comparative analysis with other detection methods.
When confronted with conflicting data regarding YLL058W:
Examine methodological differences:
Different antibody lots or sources may have varying specificities
Sample preparation methods can affect protein detection
Growth conditions and media composition significantly impact expression
Consider biological variables:
Genetic background effects (strain differences)
Growth phase and metabolic state variations
Environmental stressors affecting expression
Validation approaches:
Use multiple independent methods to assess expression/function
Conduct genetic complementation studies
Perform dose-response experiments under controlled conditions
Data integration:
Combine protein data with mRNA expression analysis
Correlate with metabolic intermediates of sulfur pathways
Consider evolutionary context when comparing between species
Careful consideration of these factors allows for proper interpretation of seemingly contradictory results.
YLL058W antibody can contribute to systems biology research through:
Protein interaction networks:
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to identify interaction partners
Temporal analysis of interaction changes during sulfur limitation
Integration with genetic interaction data to build comprehensive networks
Multi-omics integration:
Correlation of protein levels (detected by YLL058W antibody) with transcriptomics, metabolomics, and phenotypic data
Development of predictive models for sulfur metabolism incorporating YLL058W function
Characterization of regulatory networks controlling YLL058W expression
Single-cell analysis:
Development of immunofluorescence protocols for studying cell-to-cell variation
Correlation with other markers to understand metabolic heterogeneity
Integration with microfluidic approaches for dynamic studies
These applications will advance our understanding of how alternative metabolic pathways contribute to cellular robustness and adaptation.
The evolutionary significance of YLL058W can be investigated through:
Comparative genomics:
Using YLL058W antibody to study protein expression in related yeast species
Correlation of expression patterns with ecological niches and metabolic capabilities
Analysis of selection pressure on YLL058W sequence versus Met15
Functional conservation:
Cross-reactivity testing of YLL058W antibody with homologs in other species
Complementation studies using YLL058W orthologs from diverse fungi
Investigation of structural differences affecting catalytic efficiency
Genomic context analysis:
Study of YLL058W's telomeric location and its implications for regulation
Analysis of chromosomal rearrangements affecting YLL058W across species
Investigation of horizontal gene transfer possibilities
This evolutionary perspective provides insight into how alternative metabolic pathways arise and persist through natural selection.