CWP2 deletion mutant in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae has a thinner cell wall but enhanced protein production and secretion

Abstract

The CWP2 mutant is a mutant of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that has its CWP2 gene deleted, which is a gene responsible for the production of cell wall protein 2 or Cwp2p–an integral component of the cell wall. Investigations into the structure and function of the Cwp2p protein found that it has an integral role in the stability of the yeast cell wall.  Deletion of this gene results in decreased cell wall thickness and increased permeability to certain toxins, making the cells more sensitive to environmental stressors. Despite the importance of this gene in the yeast cell wall, in-depth research into its biochemical interactions is scarce. A more recent study has demonstrated that the disruption of this gene is correlated with the downregulation of some very important pathways involved in cell wall maintenance and the upregulation of pathways related to protein production and secretion.