FebA: a gene for eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP) in Dictyostelium discoideum

We have identified a gene encoding a eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP) in the EST database of the Dictyostelium cDNA project. The Dictyostelium 4E-BP, designated febA (four e-binding), showed significant similarity to mammalian 4E-BPs. Northern blot analysis revealed that febA was expressed at a high level in the vegetative growth phase but the level of expression decreased during late development. The gene was shown to be non-essential since disruption of the gene had no severe effect; the null mutant proliferated normally and formed normal fruiting bodies. However, strains overexpressing the gene could not be established, suggesting that an excess of FebA protein may have a lethal effect on the cells.