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Genetic Engineering of Dictyostelium discoideum Cells Based on Selection and Growth on Bacteria
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Published on: January 25, 2019

Developmental commitment in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Mariko Katoh1, Guokai Chen, Emily Roberge

  • 1Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Eukaryotic Cell
|October 2, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Dictyostelium discoideum cells commit to development within 6 hours of starvation, losing phagocytosis and becoming unresponsive to food cues. This commitment, triggered by cyclic AMP (cAMP), ensures the completion of multicellular development.

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Published on: June 18, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Dictyostelium discoideum undergoes complex multicellular development upon starvation.
  • Cells can dedifferentiate from developmental pathways when dispersed in nutrients.
  • Migrating slugs resist dedifferentiation despite abundant food sources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the timing and mechanisms of developmental commitment in Dictyostelium discoideum.
  • To determine the role of nutrient availability and signaling pathways in preventing dedifferentiation.
  • To understand the checkpoint that ensures the completion of multicellular development.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental manipulation of nutrient availability during early development.
  • Analysis of cell proliferation and dedifferentiation rates.
  • Assessment of phagocytic function in developing cells.
  • Genetic analysis using mutant strains.
  • Investigation of extracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Dictyostelium cells revert to growth only if food is present within the first 4-6 hours of development.
  • Developmental commitment, marked by loss of phagocytosis, occurs after 6 hours and is irreversible by food.
  • Extracellular cAMP signaling is essential for commitment and loss of phagocytosis.
  • Starvation alone does not induce commitment; cAMP pulses are sufficient.
  • Nutritional inhibition of development before commitment is mediated by soluble molecules like amino acids.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental commitment in Dictyostelium acts as a crucial checkpoint, ensuring the completion of aggregation.
  • The commitment process involves a loss of phagocytosis and responsiveness to nutrient cues, regulated by cAMP.
  • This mechanism prevents premature termination of development by transient nutrient availability, favoring cooperative multicellularity.