Investigating the Role of Translationally Control Tumor Protein in Growth, Development and Differentiation ofDictyostelium discoideum

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a multifunctional protein implicated in various types of cellular processes involving growth and development of an organism. Here, we identifiedtctpgene inDictyostelium discoideumand unraveled its function. The sequence analysis ofD. discoideumTCTP (DdTCTP) showed its conservation among eukaryotes. Transcript ofDdTCTP was highly expressed at the initial time points of development and protein is localized both in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Disruption oftctpwas achieved by BSR cassette using double homologous recombination method. Abrogation oftctpresulted in reduced cell proliferation but increased cell size. Additionally, development was delayed by 4 h wherein small-sized aggregates and fruiting bodies were produced bytctp(-)cells while larger aggregates and fruiting bodies were produced bytctp(OE)cells concordant with the fact that TCTP regulates prestalk/prespore ratio and cell-type differentiation.tctp(-)cells produced round spores with reduced viability and stalk cells are arranged in septate pattern as compared to polyhedral manner of wild type. Abrogation oftctpresulted in aberrant localization of cell type specific markers and show low proclivity toward prespore/spore region, in presence of wild type cells.