Overexpression of Far1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, induces a large transcriptional reprogramming in which RNA synthesis senses Far1 in a Sfp1-mediated way.

The FAR1 gene encodes an 830 residue bifunctional protein, whose major function is inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase complexes involved in the G1/S transition. FAR1 transcription is maximal between mitosis and early G1 phase. Enhanced FAR1 transcription is necessary but not sufficient for the pheromone-induced G1 arrest, since FAR1 overexpression itself does not trigger cell cycle arrest.