Steady state models of spore cell metabolism in Dictyostelium discoideum

Young sorocarps (consisting of a mass of spore cells resting on a stalk) were exposed to low levels of [U-14C]glucose and the spore cells were rapidly separated from stalk cells. Metabolites were isolated from spores and their specific radioactivities compared to these metabolites isolated from the whole organism; i.e. spore plus stalk cells. Based on these data, known reaction rates, and metabolite concentrations, highly constrained steady state models of metabolism in spore and stalk cells were constructed. Direct evidence has been obtained which substantiates earlier predictions regarding cell permeability, the distribution of specific metabolites, and the location of reactions in vivo.