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Updated: Jul 21, 2026
07:48
Investigating the Function of Coronin A in the Early Starvation Response of Dictyostelium discoideum by Aggregation Assays
Published on: June 18, 2016
Cell cycle phase, cellular Ca2+ and development in Dictyostelium discoideum.
M Azhar1, P K Kennady, G Pande
1Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
Summary
Cell cycle phase influences Dictyostelium discoideum cell differentiation via calcium levels. The rtoA mutant shows altered cell-type choice and calcium regulation, independent of cell cycle phase.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cell differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum is regulated by the cell cycle phase at starvation.
- Cell cycle phase correlates with cellular calcium levels, influencing prestalk and prespore cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between cytosolic calcium and cell cycle phase in Dictyostelium discoideum.
- To examine the role of the rtoA mutant in cell-type choice and its relationship with calcium levels and cell cycle phase.
Main Methods:
- Observation of Dictyostelium discoideum cell differentiation.
- Measurement of cellular calcium levels.
- Analysis of cell cycle phase in relation to differentiation and calcium content.
- Study of the rtoA mutant's differentiation characteristics.
Main Results:
- A correlation was found between cytosolic Ca2+ and cell cycle phase, with high Ca2+ in S and early G2 phases.
- Cell cycle inhibitors affect the proportions of amoebae with high or low Ca2+.
- The rtoA mutant exhibits cell-type choice independent of cell cycle phase and a higher proportion of cells in the high Ca2+ class.
Conclusions:
- Cytosolic calcium levels are linked to cell cycle phase and initial cell-type determination in Dictyostelium discoideum.
- The rtoA mutant displays altered calcium transport or regulation, impacting differentiation independently of the cell cycle.
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