Group migration and signal relay in Dictyostelium

The ability of cells to migrate directionally in gradients of chemoattractant is a fundamental biological response that is essential for the survival of the social amoebae Dictyostelium discoideum. In Dictyostelium, cAMP is the most potent chemoattractant and the detection, synthesis, and degradation of cAMP is exquisitely regulated. Interestingly, as Dictyostelium cells migrate directionally, they do so in a head-to-tail fashion, forming characteristic streams. This group behavior is acquired through the relay of the cAMP signals to neighboring cells. This chapter describes experimental procedures used to obtain synchronized populations of chemotactically competent cells and to assess their streaming behavior. In addition, we provide a detailed account of the method used to measure the ability of chemoattractants to directly stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity. Together, these techniques provide a way to combine cell biological and biochemical approaches to the study of signal relay.