Expression pattern of 5′-nucleotidase in Dictyostelium

In order to analyze the expression pattern of the 5'-nucleotidase (5nt) gene in Dictyostelium, we made a fusion construct in which the 5nt promoter directed the expression of beta-galactosidase gene. The reporter gene was not active in vegetative amoebae but was expressed during the aggregation stage. At the slug stage, 5nt was highly expressed in pstAB cells. As the slug moved along the substratum, high activity of beta-galactosidase was detected in cells that were left behind in the slime trail. In the completed fruiting body, 5nt was expressed in the lower cup, the anterior like cells (ALC) and the basal disc.