SDC25, a dispensable ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae differs from CDC25 by its regulation

The SDC25 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is homologous to CDC25. Its 3' domain encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Ras. Nevertheless, the GEF encoded by CDC25 is determinant for the Ras/cAMP pathway activation in growth. We demonstrate that the SDC25 gene product is a functional GEF for Ras: the complete SDC25 gene functionally replaces CDC25 when overexpressed or when transcribed under CDC25 transcriptional control at the CDC25 locus. Chimeric proteins between Sdc25p and Cdc25p are also functional GEFs for Ras. We also show that the two genes are differentially regulated: SDC25 is not transcribed at a detectable level in growth conditions when glucose is the carbon source. It is transcribed at the end of growth when nutrients are depleted and in cells grown on nonfermentable carbon sources. In contrast, CDC25 accumulation is slightly reduced when glucose is replaced by a nonfermentable carbon source.