Transcriptional regulators: Dynamic drivers of multicellular formation, cell differentiation and development

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine what is known about the roles of individual transcription regulators in mediating development in Dictyostelium discoideum. We present a broad review of the field, covering genetic, biochemical, molecular, and bioinformatic experiments that illuminate transcriptional regulation in the context of developmental events. We highlight evidence for evolutionary conservation where it exists, and have sought to underscore the power of RNA sequencing as a tool for comparative studies and global analysis. We believe that as next generation, omics approaches are more widely applied, we may paint a more complete picture of the gene regulatory networks governing dictyostelid development, and gain insight into general evolutionary processes that shape developmental biology.