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The mating system of the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum

G E Robson1, K L Williams

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

Current Genetics
|November 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Dictyostelium discoideum mating types were investigated. Asexual strains possess the matA mating type, while bisexual and homothallic strains suggest a one-locus, two-allele system, challenging previous assumptions.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Dictyostelium discoideum mating and vegetative compatibility are crucial for its life cycle.
  • These processes are primarily associated with the mating type locus.
  • Understanding mating type genetics is key to deciphering population structure and evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mating reaction and vegetative compatibility of different Dictyostelium discoideum strains.
  • To determine the mating type locus and allele system in asexual, bisexual, and homothallic strains.
  • To clarify the genetic basis of mating in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Main Methods:

  • Examining macrocyst formation and vegetative compatibility.
  • Utilizing specific tester strains (matA and mata) to assess compatibility.
  • Phenotypic analysis of mating behaviors in various mutant strains.

Main Results:

  • Asexual strains were compatible with matA testers and incompatible with mata testers, suggesting they are matA strains with defective mating.
  • Bisexual and homothallic strains were incompatible with both tester strains.
  • Bisexual strains are closely related to homothallic strains, supporting a one-locus, two-allele mating system.

Conclusions:

  • Dictyostelium discoideum likely possesses a one-locus, two-allele mating system.
  • Homothallic strains may express both matA and mata alleles.
  • The study refines our understanding of Dictyostelium discoideum mating genetics and population structure.

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