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Updated: May 5, 2026

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C-factor: a cell-cell signaling protein required for fruiting body morphogenesis of M. xanthus

S K Kim1, D Kaiser

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.

Cell
|April 6, 1990
PubMed

Insights

The C-factor protein is essential for cellular aggregation and spore differentiation during fruiting body development. This morphogenetic paracrine signal restores normal development in csgA mutant cells.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and developmental biology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • The csgA gene product is crucial for cellular aggregation, spore differentiation, and late gene expression during fruiting body development.
  • Mutant cells lacking csgA exhibit defects in these developmental processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the molecular factor responsible for csgA gene function in fruiting body development.
  • To investigate the properties and activity of this factor in cellular development.

Main Methods:

  • Purification of a 17 kd polypeptide (C-factor) from nascent wild-type fruiting bodies.
  • Assay of C-factor activity in restoring normal development to csgA mutant cells.
  • Amino acid sequencing of purified C-factor.

Main Results:

  • A 17 kd polypeptide, named C-factor, was purified and identified as the product of the csgA gene.
  • C-factor restored normal fruiting body development to csgA mutant cells at nanomolar concentrations (1-2 nM).
  • C-factor activity was specific to developing cells and absent in growing cells or csgA mutants.

Conclusions:

  • C-factor is a morphogenetic paracrine signal essential for Dictyostelium development.
  • The csgA gene product acts as a signaling molecule regulating key developmental transitions.

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