title: A SET/MYND chromatin re-modelling protein regulates Dictyostelium prespore patterning.
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.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Welcome Trust Building, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nuñez-Corcuera
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: Jeffrey G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D007763:Lac Operon; D008954:Models, Biological; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013170:Spores / Q000254:growth & development; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001616:beta-Galactosidase