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Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum
Published on: September 20, 2011
Cell-cell adhesion and signal transduction during Dictyostelium development
1MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology and Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
Journal of Cell Science
|January 17, 2002
Summary
Cell-cell adhesion in Dictyostelium discoideum development, involving proteins like DdCAD-1 and csA, is crucial for morphogenesis and structural integrity, mirroring animal embryogenesis. Aardvark (Aar) plays roles in both adhesion and cell signaling.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Eukaryotic Development
Background:
- Dictyostelium discoideum development shares features with animal embryogenesis, including regulated cell-cell adhesion.
- Early development involves DdCAD-1 and csA proteins mediating adhesion for multicellular mass formation, akin to epithelial sheet sealing.
- Later development requires gp150 for progression past aggregation, and adherens junction-like structures form.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell-cell adhesion molecules in Dictyostelium discoideum development.
- To understand the function of the Dictyostelium beta-catenin homologue, Aardvark (Aar), in adhesion and signaling.
- To explore the parallels between Dictyostelium and animal cell adhesion mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Observation of Dictyostelium discoideum development.
- Analysis of cell-cell adhesion proteins (DdCAD-1, csA, gp150).
- Investigation of adherens junctions and the Aardvark (Aar) protein.
Main Results:
- DdCAD-1 and csA mediate early cell-cell adhesion, essential for forming a multicellular mass.
- gp150 is required for development beyond the aggregation stage.
- Adherens junctions, dependent on Aar, are crucial for fruiting body structural integrity.
- Aar also functions in cell signaling, regulating the psA gene.
Conclusions:
- Cell-cell adhesion is integral to Dictyostelium development, with molecules serving mechanical and signaling roles.
- Dictyostelium adhesion mechanisms provide insights into conserved processes in animal embryogenesis.
- Aardvark (Aar) highlights conserved functions of beta-catenin in both adhesion and signaling pathways.
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