Characterization of tpp1(+) as Encoding a Main Trehalose-6P Phosphatase in the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have characterized an open reading frame of 2,454 bp on chromosome I of Schizosaccharomyces pombe as the gene encoding trehalose-6P phosphatase (tpp1(+)). Disruption of tpp1(+) caused in vivo accumulation of trehalose-6P upon heat shock and prevented cell growth at 37 to 40°C. Accumulation of trehalose-6P in cells bearing a chromosomal disruption of the tpp1(+) gene and containing a plasmid with tpp1(+) under the control of the thiamine-repressible promotor correlated with tpp1(+) repression. The level of tpp1(+) mRNA rose upon heat shock, osmostress, or oxidative stress and was negatively controlled by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity. Expression of tpp1(+) during oxidative or osmotic stress, but not during heat shock, was under positive control by the wis1-sty1 (equivalent to phh1 and spc1) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Analysis of Tpp1 protein levels suggests that the synthesis of trehalose-6P phosphatase may also be subjected to translational or posttranslational control.