Characterization of cDNA Clones Specific for Sequences Developmentally Regulated During Dictyostelium discoideum Spore Germination

1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 386-386
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Developmentally Regulated

Role of protein synthesis in decay and accumulation of mRNA during spore germination in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 799-805
Author(s):  
R Kelly ◽  
D R Shaw ◽  
H L Ennis
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Protein Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Cellular Slime Mold ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Mrna Synthesis ◽  
Developmentally Regulated

Spore germination in Dictyostelium discoideum is a particularly suitable model for studying the regulation of gene expression, since developmentally regulated changes in both protein and mRNA synthesis occur during the transition from dormant spore to amoeba. The previous isolation of three cDNA clones specific for mRNA developmentally regulated during spore germination allowed for the quantitation of the specific mRNAs during this process. The three mRNAs specific to clones pLK109, pLK229, and pRK270 have half-lives much shorter (minutes) than those of constitutive mRNAs (hours). Using spore germination as a model, we studied the roles of ribosome-mRNA interactions and protein synthesis in mRNA degradation by using antibiotics that inhibit specific reactions in protein biosynthesis. Cycloheximide inhibits the elongation step of protein synthesis. Polysomes accumulate in inhibited cells because ribosomes do not terminate normally and new ribosomes enter the polysome, eventually saturating the mRNA. Pactamycin inhibits initiation, and consequently polysomes break down in the presence of this drug. Under this condition, the mRNA is essentially free of ribosomes. pLK109, pLK229, and pRK270 mRNAs were stabilized in the presence of cycloheximide, but pactamycin had no effect on their normal decay. Since it seems likely that stability of mRNA reflects the availability of sites for inactivation by nucleases, it follows that in the presence of cycloheximide, these sites are protected, presumably by occupancy by ribosomes. No ribosomes are bound to mRNA in the presence of pactamycin, and therefore mRNA degrades at about the normal rate. The data further indicate that a labile protein is probably not involved in mRNA decay or stabilization, since protein synthesis is inhibited equally by both antibiotics. We conclude that it may be important to use more than one type of protein synthesis inhibitor to evaluate whether protein synthesis is required for mRNA decay. The effect of protein synthesis inhibition on mRNA synthesis and accumulation was also studied. mRNA synthesis continues in the presence of inhibitors, albeit at a diminished rate relative to that of the uninhibited control.

scholarly journals Role of protein synthesis in decay and accumulation of mRNA during spore germination in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 799-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kelly ◽  
D R Shaw ◽  
H L Ennis
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Protein Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Cellular Slime Mold ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Mrna Synthesis ◽  
Developmentally Regulated

Spore germination in Dictyostelium discoideum is a particularly suitable model for studying the regulation of gene expression, since developmentally regulated changes in both protein and mRNA synthesis occur during the transition from dormant spore to amoeba. The previous isolation of three cDNA clones specific for mRNA developmentally regulated during spore germination allowed for the quantitation of the specific mRNAs during this process. The three mRNAs specific to clones pLK109, pLK229, and pRK270 have half-lives much shorter (minutes) than those of constitutive mRNAs (hours). Using spore germination as a model, we studied the roles of ribosome-mRNA interactions and protein synthesis in mRNA degradation by using antibiotics that inhibit specific reactions in protein biosynthesis. Cycloheximide inhibits the elongation step of protein synthesis. Polysomes accumulate in inhibited cells because ribosomes do not terminate normally and new ribosomes enter the polysome, eventually saturating the mRNA. Pactamycin inhibits initiation, and consequently polysomes break down in the presence of this drug. Under this condition, the mRNA is essentially free of ribosomes. pLK109, pLK229, and pRK270 mRNAs were stabilized in the presence of cycloheximide, but pactamycin had no effect on their normal decay. Since it seems likely that stability of mRNA reflects the availability of sites for inactivation by nucleases, it follows that in the presence of cycloheximide, these sites are protected, presumably by occupancy by ribosomes. No ribosomes are bound to mRNA in the presence of pactamycin, and therefore mRNA degrades at about the normal rate. The data further indicate that a labile protein is probably not involved in mRNA decay or stabilization, since protein synthesis is inhibited equally by both antibiotics. We conclude that it may be important to use more than one type of protein synthesis inhibitor to evaluate whether protein synthesis is required for mRNA decay. The effect of protein synthesis inhibition on mRNA synthesis and accumulation was also studied. mRNA synthesis continues in the presence of inhibitors, albeit at a diminished rate relative to that of the uninhibited control.

Characterization of cDNA clones specific for sequences developmentally regulated during Dictyostelium discoideum spore germination

1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 1943-1948
Author(s):  
L J Kelly ◽  
R Kelly ◽  
H L Ennis
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
Developmental Regulation ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Southern Blot Hybridization ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Multiple Copies

Spore germination in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum was used as a model to study the developmental regulation of protein and mRNA synthesis. Changes in the synthesis of these macromolecules occur during the transition from dormant spore to amoebae. The study of the mechanisms which regulate the quantity and quality of protein synthesis can best be accomplished with cloned genes. cDNA clones which hybridized primarily with mRNAs from only spores or germinating spores and not with growing amoebae were collected. Three such clones, denoted pLK109, pLK229, and pRK270, were isolated and had inserts of approximately 500, 1,200, and 690 base pairs, respectively. Southern blot hybridization experiments suggested that each of the genes is present in multiple copies in the D. discoideum genome. RNA blot hybridizations were performed to determine the sizes of the respective mRNAs and their developmental regulation. The mRNA that hybridized to pLK109 DNA was present predominantly in spores and at 1 h after germination but was absent in growing amoebae. Its concentration dramatically dropped at 3 h. The mRNA present in spores is apparently larger (approximately 0.5 kilobase) than in the later stages of germination (0.4 kilobase), indicating processing of the RNA during germination. The mRNA that hybridized to pLK229 DNA was approximately 1.0 kilobase and was present in very low amounts during growth. Its concentration rose until 1 h after spore germination and decreased thereafter. pRK270-specific RNA was approximately 2.7 kilobases and was found predominantly at 1 h after germination. It was present in lower concentrations at 2 and 3 h after germination and was absent in spores and amoebae. In vitro translation of mRNA selected from 1-h polyadenylated RNA which was hybridized to pLK109 or pLK229 DNA gave proteins of molecular weights consistent with the sizes of the mRNAs as determined by the RNA blot analysis.

scholarly journals Characterization of cDNA clones specific for sequences developmentally regulated during Dictyostelium discoideum spore germination.

1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 1943-1948 ◽  
Author(s):  
L J Kelly ◽  
R Kelly ◽  
H L Ennis
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
Developmental Regulation ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Southern Blot Hybridization ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Multiple Copies

Spore germination in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum was used as a model to study the developmental regulation of protein and mRNA synthesis. Changes in the synthesis of these macromolecules occur during the transition from dormant spore to amoebae. The study of the mechanisms which regulate the quantity and quality of protein synthesis can best be accomplished with cloned genes. cDNA clones which hybridized primarily with mRNAs from only spores or germinating spores and not with growing amoebae were collected. Three such clones, denoted pLK109, pLK229, and pRK270, were isolated and had inserts of approximately 500, 1,200, and 690 base pairs, respectively. Southern blot hybridization experiments suggested that each of the genes is present in multiple copies in the D. discoideum genome. RNA blot hybridizations were performed to determine the sizes of the respective mRNAs and their developmental regulation. The mRNA that hybridized to pLK109 DNA was present predominantly in spores and at 1 h after germination but was absent in growing amoebae. Its concentration dramatically dropped at 3 h. The mRNA present in spores is apparently larger (approximately 0.5 kilobase) than in the later stages of germination (0.4 kilobase), indicating processing of the RNA during germination. The mRNA that hybridized to pLK229 DNA was approximately 1.0 kilobase and was present in very low amounts during growth. Its concentration rose until 1 h after spore germination and decreased thereafter. pRK270-specific RNA was approximately 2.7 kilobases and was found predominantly at 1 h after germination. It was present in lower concentrations at 2 and 3 h after germination and was absent in spores and amoebae. In vitro translation of mRNA selected from 1-h polyadenylated RNA which was hybridized to pLK109 or pLK229 DNA gave proteins of molecular weights consistent with the sizes of the mRNAs as determined by the RNA blot analysis.

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