Int. J. Dev. Biol. 55: 205 - 208 (2011)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.113309bn

Vol 55, Issue 2

A SET/MYND chromatin re-modelling protein regulates Dictyostelium prespore patterning

Open Access | Short Communication | Published: 27 May 2011

Beatriz Nuñez-Corcuera, Joanna Birch and Jeffrey G. Williams*

College of Life Sciences, Welcome Trust Building, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK

Abstract

SmdA is a Dictyostelium orthologue of the SET/MYND chromatin re-modelling proteins. In developing structures derived from a null mutant for smdA (a smdA- strain), prestalk patterning is normal, but using a prespore lacZ reporter fusion, there is ectopic accumulation of beta-galactosidase in the prestalk region. As wild type slugs migrate, there is continual forward movement and re-differentiation of prespore cells into prestalk cells. Thus, a potential explanation for the ectopic reporter localization in smdA null prestalk cells is an increased rate of re-differentiation and anterior movement of prespore cells. In support of this notion, analysis of an unstable lacZ reporter, driven by the prespore promoter, reveals a normal staining pattern in the smdA- strain. We suggest that one or more genes regulated by SmdA acts to repress prespore re-specification.

Keywords

Dictyostelium, SET/MYND, prespore, cell sorting