Shortening of the cell cycle and developmental interruption in a Dictyostelium discoideum cell line due to RNAi-silenced expression of allantoicase

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The signaling molecules NH 3 (unprotonated volatile ammonia), as well as cyclic adenosine monophosphate and differentiationinducing factor, play important roles in the multicellular development of the slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. One of the downstream metabolic products catalyzed by allantoicase (allC) is ammonia. We observed the role of allC by RNAi-mediated manipulation of its expression. The allC gene of D. discoideum was silenced by RNAi. We found significant downregulation of allC mRNA and protein expression levels. Recombinant allC RNAi mutant cell lines had a shortened cell cycle, a reduction in cell size relative to wild-type cells and interrupted development. We conclude that the normal functions of allC include retarding cell division until a specific cell size is reached and coordinating the progression of development.

Novel zinc protease gene isolated from Dictyostelium discoideum is structurally related to mammalian leukotriene A4 hydrolase

“…The allantoicase (allC) gene of the allC RNAi mutant strain was silenced by RNA interference in a previous study. These cells showed a shorter cell cycle, a reduction of cellular size and cellular allC concentration, and interruption of development (Xue and Hou, 2012).…”

Analysis of cell cycle shortening and developmental interruption in Dictyostelium discoideum allC RNAi mutants

“…discoideum allC RNAi mutant cells have a shorter cell cycle, a reduction in cellular size, and an interruption of development relative to wild type D. discoideum (Xue and Hou, 2012). NH 3 is one of the downstream metabolic products catalyzed by allantoicase.…”