This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Podgorski, G J Articles by Kessin, R H Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Podgorski, G J Articles by Kessin, R H

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Mol Cell Biol. 1989 September; 9(9): 3938-3950

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase gene of Dictyostelium discoideum utilizes alternate promoters and splicing for the synthesis of multiple mRNAs.

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032.

ABSTRACT

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (phosphodiesterase) gene plays essential roles in the development of Dictyostelium discoideum during cellular aggregation and postaggregation morphogenesis. Genomic clones spanning the gene were isolated and used to determine the sequence and structure of the phosphodiesterase gene. We found an unusually complex organization for a gene of D. discoideum. Two transcripts of 2.4 and 1.9 kilobases (kb) were synthesized from start sites separated by 1.1 kb. A developmentally regulated promoter was utilized for the 2.4-kb mRNA, and a constitutive promoter regulated synthesis of the 1.9-kb transcript. The gene was found to be divided into four exons that are alternately spliced to give rise to the two mRNAs. The precursor of the 2.4-kb mRNA contained a 2.3-kb intron, whereas the precursor of the constitutive transcript was synthesized with a 1.7-kb intron. The two transcripts contained identical protein-coding regions and 400-nucleotide 3' untranslated sequences. The 2.4-kb developmentally regulated mRNA was distinguished by a long 5' untranslated leader of 666 nucleotides. The complex structure of the gene may allow multiple levels of control of the expression of the phosphodiesterase during development.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Bader, S., Kortholt, A., Snippe, H., Van Haastert, P. J. M. (2006). DdPDE4, a Novel cAMP-specific Phosphodiesterase at the Surface of Dictyostelium Cells. J. Biol. Chem. 281: 20018-20026 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Otto, G. P., Wu, M. Y., Kazgan, N., Anderson, O. R., Kessin, R. H. (2004). Dictyostelium Macroautophagy Mutants Vary in the Severity of Their Developmental Defects. J. Biol. Chem. 279: 15621-15629 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Otto, G. P., Wu, M. Y., Kazgan, N., Anderson, O. R., Kessin, R. H. (2003). Macroautophagy Is Required for Multicellular Development of the Social Amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. J. Biol. Chem. 278: 17636-17645 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Sollars, V. E., McEntee, B. J., Engiles, J. B., Rothstein, J. L., Buchberg, A. M. (2002). A novel transgenic line of mice exhibiting autosomal recessive male-specific lethality and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hum Mol Genet 11: 2777-2786 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Pukatzki, S., Tordilla, N., Franke, J., Kessin, R. H. (1998). A Novel Component Involved in Ubiquitination Is Required for Development of Dictyostelium discoideum. J. Biol. Chem. 273: 24131-24138 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Hopper, N., Anjard, C, Reymond, C., Williams, J. (1993). Induction of terminal differentiation of Dictyostelium by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and opposing effects of intracellulr and extracellular cAMP on stalk cell differentiation. Development 119: 147-154 [Abstract]  
• Early, A., Gaskell, M., Traynor, D, Williams, J. (1993). Two distinct populations of prestalk cells within the tip of the migratory Dictyostelium slug with differing fates at culmination. Development 118: 353-362 [Abstract]  
• Saxe, C L, Johnson, R L, Devreotes, P N, Kimmel, A R (1991). Expression of a cAMP receptor gene of Dictyostelium and evidence for a multigene family.. Genes Dev. 5: 1-8 [Abstract]  
• Haberstroh, L, Firtel, R A (1990). A spatial gradient of expression of a cAMP-regulated prespore cell-type-specific gene in Dictyostelium.. Genes Dev. 4: 596-612 [Abstract]  
• Firtel, R A, Chapman, A L (1990). A role for cAMP-dependent protein kinase A in early Dictyostelium development.. Genes Dev. 4: 18-28 [Abstract]