TF2 binds to the regulatory promoter of alkaline phosphatase in Dicytostelium

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity becomes restricted to PstO cells at the prestalk–prespore boundary during the later stages of development, suggesting a novel function in the regulation of prestalk cell differentiation. To identify regulatory control sequences within the alp promoter, a series of 5′ and internal deletions were generated and fused to the LacZ reporter gene. In vitro assays of reporter activity from Dicytostelium transformants containing the deleted promoter–LacZ fusion constructs showed that the − 683 to − 468 bp sequence is required for proper activation of the reporter in developing slugs. To identify DNA–protein interactions involved in the regulation of alp, EMSAs were preformed using a series of short overlapping PCR probes that span the regulatory promoter sequence. A sequence-specific DNA-binding protein was identified that interacts with the − 665 to − 635 bp sequence. This DNA-binding protein was sequentially purified using DEAE-Sephacel, heparin-Sepharose, DNA Affinity, and gel filtration chromatography. A polypeptide with a molecular weight of 28 kDa was identified on an SDS-PAGE. The purified protein was identified as TF2 by mass spectrometry. TF2 may, therefore, bind to the regulatory promoter of alp and function in the developmental control of PstO differentiation in Dicytostelium.