Kathleen L. Gould

Phosphatidylinositol (PI)-4-phosphate (PI4P) is a lipid found at the plasma membrane (PM) and Golgi in cells from yeast to humans. PI4P is generated from PI by PI4-kinases and can be converted into PI-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]. Schizosaccharomyces pombe have two essential PI4-kinases – Stt4 and Pik1. Stt4 localizes to the PM, and its loss from the PM results in a decrease of PM PI4P and PI(4,5)P2. As a result, cells divide non-medially due to disrupted cytokinetic ring–PM anchoring. However, the localization and function of S. pombe Pik1 has not been thoroughly examined. Here, we found that Pik1 localizes exclusively to the trans-Golgi and is required for Golgi PI4P production. We determined that Ncs1 regulates Pik1, but unlike in other organisms, it is not required for Pik1 Golgi localization. When Pik1 function was disrupted, PM PI4P but not PI(4,5)P2 levels were reduced, a major difference compared with Stt4. We conclude that Stt4 is the chief enzyme responsible for producing the PI4P that generates PI(4,5)P2. Also, that cells with disrupted Pik1 do not divide asymmetrically highlights the specific importance of PM PI(4,5)P2 for cytokinetic ring–PM anchoring.

Standardized nomenclature for genes, gene products, and isoforms is crucial to prevent ambiguity and enable clear communication of scientific data, facilitating efficient biocuration and data sharing. Standardized genotype nomenclature, which describes alleles present in a specific strain that differ from those in the wild-type reference strain, is equally essential to maximize research impact and ensure that results linking genotypes to phenotypes are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). In this publication, we extend the fission yeast clade gene nomenclature guidelines to support the curation efforts at PomBase (www.pombase.org), the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Model Organism Database. This update introduces nomenclature guidelines for noncoding RNA genes, following those set forth by the Human Genome Organisation Gene Nomenclature Committee. Additionally, we provide a significant update to the allele and genotype nomenclature guidelines originally published in 1987, to standardize the diverse range of genetic modifications enabled by the fission yeast genetic toolbox. These updated guidelines reflect a community consensus between numerous fission yeast researchers. Adoption of these rules will improve consistency in gene and genotype nomenclature, and facilitate machine-readability and automated entity recognition of fission yeast genes and alleles in publications or datasets. In conclusion, our updated guidelines provide a valuable resource for the fission yeast research community, promoting consistency, clarity, and FAIRness in genetic data sharing and interpretation.