The DNA Topoisomerase 1 Contributes to Stress Response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Regardless Its Catalytic Activity

In this study, we examined the activation of the ATG8, HSP12, KGD1, and POT1 genes in response to decreased glucose levels in the culture medium. Our results show that in <i>top1Δ</i> strains, gene activation is further enhanced compared to WT strains under low glucose conditions, indicating that Top1p represses these genes. This repression occurs independently of its catalytic function. We investigated Rpd3p as an interacting factor of Top1p and found that in <i>rpd3Δ</i> mutants, gene expression under low glucose conditions is even higher than in <i>top1Δ</i> strains, suggesting that Rpd3p also acts as a negative regulator. ChIP analysis revealed that while Top1p levels in regulatory regions remain constant, Rpd3 recruitment increases on promoters after glucose reduction in WT strains but significantly decreases in <i>top1Δ</i> strains. Overall, our findings suggest that Rpd3p is recruited by Top1p to regulate gene expression at controlled physiological levels, highlighting the role of Top1p in transcriptional regulation, controlling helical stress, and interacting with key regulatory factors in response to environmental changes.