The NMRA/NMRAL1 homologue PadA modulates the expression of extracellular cAMP relay genes during aggregation in Dictyostelium discoideum.

NMRA-like proteins belong to a class of conserved transcriptional regulators that function as direct sensors of the metabolic state of the cell and link basic metabolism to changes in gene expression. PadA was the first NMRA-like protein described in Dictyostelium discoideum and was shown to be necessary for prestalk cell differentiation and correct development. We describe and characterize padA(-) mutant phenotype during the onset of development, which results in the formation of abnormally small territories and impairment of cAMP responses.

The Dictyostelium discoideum acaA gene is transcribed from alternative promoters during aggregation and multicellular development.

Background: Extracellular cAMP is a key extracellular signaling molecule that regulates aggregation, cell differentiation and morphogenesis during multi-cellular development of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. This molecule is produced by three different adenylyl cyclases, encoded by the genes acaA, acrA and acgA, expressed at different stages of development and in different structures.

Methodology/principal Findings: This article describes the characterization of the promoter region of the acaA gene, showing that it is transcribed from three different alternative promoters.