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Developing Dictyostelium discoideum cells contain two distinct acid hydrolase-containing vesicles
J M Lenhard1, E Kasperek, B R Moore
1Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo 14260.
Experimental Cell Research
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Developing Dictyostelium discoideum cells contain two distinct acid hydrolase vesicles. The higher density vesicles, appearing during aggregation, contain spore coat proteins and may be identical to prespore vesicles.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Dictyostelium discoideum undergoes complex differentiation.
- Acid hydrolases are crucial for cellular processes.
- Vesicles play key roles in intracellular transport and storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize distinct acid hydrolase-containing vesicle populations in developing Dictyostelium discoideum.
- To investigate the origin and composition of these vesicles during differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Percoll gradient centrifugation to separate vesicle populations by density.
- Electron microscopy to visualize vesicle morphology.
- Acid phosphatase staining to identify lysosomal activity.
- Analysis of spore coat protein content.
Main Results:
- Two vesicle populations identified with densities of 1.07 and 1.13 g/ml.
- The 1.13 g/ml vesicles emerged during the aggregation stage.
- Higher density vesicles contained spore coat proteins and resembled prespore vesicles.
- Distinct acid phosphatase-staining patterns were observed in prespore cell vesicles.
Conclusions:
- Developing Dictyostelium discoideum cells possess distinct acid hydrolase vesicle populations.
- The higher density vesicles are likely a developmental subpopulation of lysosomes.
- These higher density vesicles may be equivalent to prespore vesicles involved in spore coat protein exocytosis.