Int. J. Dev. Biol. 45: S117 - S118 (2001)
The MADS-box transcription factor SRFA regulates different aspects of Dictyostelium discoideum development
Published: 1 June 2001
Abstract
The MADS-box transcription factor SRFA is expressed at several stages of Dictyostelium discoideum development. In early developmental stages is expressed in the prestalk region while it is expressed in the prespore region at culmination. The complex pattern of expression is obtained through the use of four different promoter regions that are active in different cell types and at different developmental stages. The analyses of srfA deficient strains has shown that this transcription factor is necessary for slug migration, morphogenesis and spore differentiation. Differential screening between Wild-type and srfA(-) strains has allowed the isolation of five cDNA clones whose expression is dependent on srfA. These genes are expressed at culmination in Wild-type strains but not in srfA strains. The expression of only one or these genes can be induced in srfA- strains by treatment with the Protein Kinase A activator 8-Br-cAMP, indicating a complex interaction between Protein Kinase A and SRFA in the regulation of Dictyostelium discoideum development.