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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
06:08
Genetic Engineering of Dictyostelium discoideum Cells Based on Selection and Growth on Bacteria
Published on: January 25, 2019
A new environmentally resistant cell type from Dictyostelium.
Ioannis Serafimidis1, Gareth Bloomfield1, Jason Skelton2
1MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK.
Microbiology (Reading, England)
|January 30, 2007
Summary
Scientists discovered a new Dictyostelium cell type, aspidocytes, which form in response to toxins. These shield-like cells are resistant to detergents and antibiotics, reverting to normal cells when the stress is removed.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Dictyostelium discoideum is a model organism for studying cellular processes.
- Environmental toxins can pose significant challenges to microbial survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a newly discovered toxin-resistant cell type in Dictyostelium.
- To understand the induction, properties, and potential ecological role of these cells.
Main Methods:
- Induction of cells using various toxins (heavy metals, antibiotics, detergents).
- Microscopy to observe cell morphology and immotility.
- Assays for viability, endocytosis (FM1-43 uptake), and protein synthesis inhibition (cycloheximide).
- Microarray analysis for gene expression profiling.
Main Results:
- Discovery of 'aspidocytes,' a distinct resistant cell type induced by toxins.
- Aspidocytes exhibit detergent resistance, immotility, and cessation of endocytosis.
- Induction requires protein synthesis and energy metabolism.
- Gene expression analysis reveals upregulation of lipid metabolism genes.
- Pathway may involve AMP levels, as suggested by studies in an AMP deaminase mutant.
Conclusions:
- Aspidocytes represent a survival adaptation for Dictyostelium against toxic environmental insults.
- These cells offer a model for studying cellular resistance mechanisms.
- Further research into the lipid metabolism and AMP pathways is warranted.
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