Sorting of the initial cell types in Dictyostelium is dependent on the tipA gene.
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tipA encodes a novel ~83 kDa protein preferentially expressed in prestalk PstO cells after cell-type sorting.
"The disrupted gene, tipA, encodes a novel 83-kDa protein and is preferentially expressed in PST-O cells after the cell types have sorted out."
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tipA mutants fail to form slugs and are defective in sorting of prestalk cells.
"This mutant fails to form slugs and appears to have a defect in sorting of prestalk cells."
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Cells lacking TipA express the prestalk marker ecmA at reduced levels and form very few spores.
"Mutant strains that lack TipA express the prestalk-specific gene ecmA at reduced levels and form very few spores."
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TipA acts cell-autonomously at an early stage of development and is essential for sorting of the initial cell types.
"The tipA gene appears to play an essential role in the sorting of the initial cell types."