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-bindin g protein (4E-BP) in the EST database of the Dictyostelium cDNA project. Th e Dictyostelium 4E-BP, designated febA four e-binding), showed significant similarity to mammalian 4E-BPs. Northern blot analysis revealed that febA w as expressed at a high level in the vegetative growth phase but the level o f expression decreased during late development. The gene was shown to be no n-essential since disruption of the gene had no severe effect; the null mut ant proliferated normally and formed normal fruiting bodies. However, strai ns overexpressing the gene could not be established, suggesting that an exc ess of FebA protein may have a lethal effect on the cells. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.