Abstract

Most cells adapt to their environment by switching combinations of genes on and off through a complex interplay of transcription factor proteins (TFs). The mechanisms by which TFs respond to signals, move into the nucleus and find specific binding sites in target genes is still largely unknown. Single-molecule fluorescence microscopes, which can image single TFs in live cells, have begun to elucidate the problem. Here, we show that different environmental signals, in this case carbon sources, yield a unique single-molecule fluorescence pattern of foci of a key metabolic regulating transcription factor, Mig1, in the nucleus of the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This pattern serves as a barcode of the gene regulatory state of the cells which can be correlated with cell growth characteristics and other biological function. HighlightsO_LISingle-molecule microscopy of transcription factors in live yeast C_LIO_LIBarcoding single-molecule nuclear fluorescence C_LIO_LICorrelation with cell growth characteristics C_LIO_LIGrowth in different carbon sources C_LI