Changes in cell surface glycoproteins during Dictyostelium development analysed using monoclonal antibodies

We have produced a series of monoclonal antibodies that recognize carbohydrate epitopes on cell surface glycoproteins of developing amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum. The antibodies were found to have differential specificity for amoebae at different stages of development and were classified into types A to E on the basis of their temporal pattern of reactivity with the developing amoebal cell surface. Evidence from Western Blots and digestion of the glycoproteins with alkaline phosphatase were consistent with previous reports that the cell surface glycoproteins are extensively processed during development, leading at 16 h of development to the exposure of a highly antigenic core recognized by antibodies in group E. The nature of this core structure is indicated by the finding that antibodies in group E were found also to bind with high avidity to the plant glycoprotein horse radish peroxidase.