Nitric oxide synthase is induced in sporulation of Physarum polycephalum.

ABSTRACT: The myxomycete Physarum polycephalum expresses a calcium-independent nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) resembling the inducible NOS isoenzyme in mammals. We have now cloned and sequenced this, the first nonanimal NOS to be identified, showing that it shares < 39% amino acid identity with known NOSs but contains conserved binding motifs for all NOS cofactors. It lacks the sequence insert responsible for calcium dependence in the calcium-dependent NOS isoenzymes. NOS expression was strongly up-regulated in Physarum macroplasmodia during the 5-day starvation period needed to induce sporulation competence. Induction of both NOS and sporulation competence were inhibited by glucose, a growth signal and known repressor of sporulation, and by L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (NIL), an inhibitor of induci

SUBMITTER: Golderer G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC313797 | biostudies-literature | 2001 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature