The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCH1 gene is involved in calcium influx and mating

AbstractThe yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene CCH1 (ORF YGR217w) shows high homology with animal calcium channel α1-subunit genes. Knock-out mutants were constructed of Cch1 and of Mid1 which is known to mediate Ca2+ influx in response to the α-mating pheromone. Cch1 is involved in calcium influx and the late stage of the mating process. The cch1 mutant sensitivity against the α-mating pheromone can be reduced by the addition of extra calcium. The product of this gene is likely to interact with the MID1 gene product in Ca influx or its control