An improved tetracycline-inducible expression system for fission yeast

The ability to manipulate gene expression is valuable for elucidating gene function. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe , the most widely used regulatable expression system is the nmt1 promoter and its two attenuated variants. However, these promoters have limitations, including a long lag, incompatibility with rich media, and unsuitability for non-dividing cells. Here, we present a tetracycline-inducible system free of these shortcomings. Our system features the enotetS promoter, which achieves a similar induced level and a higher induction ratio compared to the nmt1 promoter, without exhibiting a lag. Additionally, our system includes four weakened enotetS variants, offering an expression range similar to the nmt1 series promoters but with more intermediate levels. To enhance usability, each promoter is combined with a Tet-repressor-expressing cassette in an integration plasmid. Importantly, our system can be used in non-dividing cells, enabling the development of a synchronous meiosis induction method with high spore viability. Moreover, our system allows for the shutdown of gene expression and the generation of conditional loss-of-function mutants. This system provides a versatile and powerful tool for manipulating gene expression in fission yeast.