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A purified cellular extract accelerates the cell cycle in Physarum polycephalum
U Hobohm1, A Hildebrandt, L Rensing
1Dept. Biology, University of Bremen, West Germany.
Experimental Cell Research
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Researchers discovered a peptide in Physarum polycephalum that significantly accelerates mitosis. This finding offers insights into cell cycle regulation in this model organism.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Physarum polycephalum is a widely studied acellular slime mold.
- Understanding cell cycle regulation is crucial in developmental biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors within Physarum polycephalum that influence cell cycle progression.
- To investigate the potential of these factors to accelerate mitosis.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of extracts from Physarum polycephalum plasmodia at specific cell cycle stages.
- Microinjection of extracts into plasmodial veins.
- Monitoring and comparison of mitosis onset in injected versus control plasmodia.
- Biochemical assays including heat, freezing, protease digestion, gel filtration, and HPLC for purification and characterization.
Main Results:
- Extracts from late telophase significantly accelerated mitosis by 10-14% (up to 70 min advance).
- The accelerating activity was abolished by heat, freezing, and protease digestion, indicating a peptide nature.
- Gel filtration suggested a molecular mass of approximately 2500 Da for the active compound.
- HPLC purification isolated the active agent into a single peak.
Conclusions:
- A peptide factor present in Physarum polycephalum accelerates the onset of mitosis.
- This peptide plays a role in regulating the cell cycle in this organism.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms governing cell division.