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Vegetative Incompatibility and the Mating-Type Locus in the Cellular Slime Mold DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM

G E Robson1, K L Williams

  • 1Genetics Department, Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, P. O. Box 475, Canberra City, A.C.T., 2601, Australia.

Genetics
|December 1, 1979
PubMed

Insights

Vegetative incompatibility in Dictyostelium discoideum is controlled by a single genetic locus, likely linked to mating-type. This finding clarifies genetic interactions in cellular slime molds.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Vegetative incompatibility (VI) is crucial for genetic interactions in many fungal and protist species.
  • Understanding VI in Dictyostelium discoideum provides insights into genetic exchange mechanisms in social amoebas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the genetic basis of vegetative incompatibility in Dictyostelium discoideum.
  • To identify the number and location of vegetative incompatibility loci.

Main Methods:

  • Parasexual diploid formation analysis between wild isolates and tester strains.
  • Frequency assessment of "escaped" diploid formation between incompatible strains.
  • Analysis of mating type and VI in haploid segregants from escaped diploids.

Main Results:

  • Vegetatively compatible haploid strains form diploids at a frequency of 10^-6 to 10^-5.
  • Vegetatively incompatible strains form "escaped" diploids at a lower frequency of approximately 10^-8.
  • Evidence suggests a single vegetative incompatibility locus, closely linked to the mating-type locus.

Conclusions:

  • The genetic control of vegetative incompatibility in Dictyostelium discoideum is likely governed by a single locus.
  • This locus is probably located at or near the mating-type locus, influencing genetic interactions.

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