DIF signalling and cell fate
R R Kay1, P Flatman, C R Thompson
1MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, UK.
Abstract:
The DIFs are a family of secreted chlorinated molecules that control cell fate during development of Dictyostelium cells in culture and probably during normal development too. They induce stalk cell differentiation and suppress spore cell formation. The biosynthetic and inactivation pathways of DIF-1 (the major bioactivity) have been worked out. DIF-1 is probably synthesised in prespore cells and inactivated in prestalk cells, by dechlorination. Thus, each cell type tends to alter DIF-1 level so as to favour differentiation of the other cell type. This relationship leads to a model for cell-type proportioning during normal development.
Related Concept Videos
What is Cell Signaling?
Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
What is Cell Signaling?
Overview of Cell Signaling
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Cell Signaling Feedback Loops
Negative feedback loops
Most signaling systems have negative feedback loops that can perform different functions such as output limiter, and adaptation.
Output limiter
Upon receiving an input signal, the cellular response rapidly increases until a threshold is reached. Beyond this threshold, a negative feedback loop...


