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Sporulation delay by stable cAMP analogues in the slime moldPhysarum polycephalum

Christine Brandt1, Bernd Jastorff1, Armin Hildebrandt1

  • 1Fachbereich Biologie-Chemie, Universität Bremen, Leobenerstraße, NW 2, D-2800, Bremen 33, Federal Republic of Germany.

Roux'S Archives of Developmental Biology : the Official Organ of the EDBO
|March 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) plays a key role in light-induced sporulation in Physarum polycephalum. Manipulating cAMP levels significantly delays this differentiation process, suggesting its crucial involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular differentiation
  • Myxomycetes biology
  • Signal transduction pathways

Background:

  • Physarum polycephalum slime mold undergoes sporulation after starvation.
  • Sporulation is induced by light illumination.
  • The role of intracellular signaling molecules in this process is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the involvement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the light-induced sporulation of Physarum polycephalum.
  • To determine the effect of cAMP analogs on the timing and morphology of sporulation.

Main Methods:

  • Microinjection of stable diastereoisomers of adenosine cyclic 3',5' monothionophosphate (cAMP analogs) into P. polycephalum plasmodia.
  • Observation and measurement of sporulation timing and morphological changes under controlled light and starvation conditions.

Main Results:

  • Microinjection of both (Sp)- and (Rp)-diastereoisomers of cAMP analogs significantly delayed sporulation.
  • The (Sp)-diastereoisomer of cAMP was more potent in delaying sporulation and induced morphological changes.
  • Both cAMP analogs prolonged the time for sporangia formation even in darkness.

Conclusions:

  • Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is decisively involved in the light-induced differentiation process of Physarum polycephalum.
  • cAMP signaling pathways are critical regulators of sporulation in this lower eukaryote.
  • Further research into cAMP's role can elucidate mechanisms of differentiation in simple eukaryotes.
Keywords:
HPLCMicroinjectionPhysarumSporangia morphogenesiscAMP-analogues

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