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The possible involvement of oscillatory cAMP signaling in multicellular morphogenesis of the cellular slime molds
Abstract:
The involvement of pulsatile chemoattractant emission and signal relay in aggregation and multicellular morphogenesis of a variety of cellular slime mold species was investigated. The species differ from each other in the developmental stage when pulsatile signaling first becomes evident. In D. discoideum, D. mucoroides, and D. purpureum pulsatile signal emission starts in the preaggregative field. In D. vinaceo-fuscum, D. mexicanum, P. violaceum, and P. pallidum the aggregation centers shifts from continuous to pulsatile secretion of chemoattractant during the aggregation process. In D. minutum pulsatile signaling starts after the completion of aggregation and slightly before the onset of culmination. Tip formation is a consequence of continued attraction of amoebae inside the aggregate to the center of signal emission. The occurrence of pulsatile signaling at an early stage of development is correlated with the capacity of the tip (signaling center) to organize a relatively large number of cells into a single fruiting body. Several lines of evidence suggest that cAMP is probably involved in the coordination of morphogenetic movement in the multicellular stage of all investigated species.
Insights
Pulsatile chemoattractant signaling guides cellular slime mold development. Early signaling in species like Dictyostelium discoideum correlates with larger fruiting bodies, suggesting cAMP
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Developmental biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cellular slime molds exhibit complex multicellular development.
- Chemoattractant signaling is crucial for their aggregation and morphogenesis.
- The timing of pulsatile signaling varies across different species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of pulsatile chemoattractant emission and signal relay in cellular slime mold development.
- To correlate the onset of pulsatile signaling with multicellular morphogenesis and fruiting body size.
- To explore the involvement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in coordinating morphogenetic movements.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of pulsatile signaling across various cellular slime mold species.
- Observation of developmental stages and signaling patterns.
- Correlation of signaling timing with aggregation and culmination phases.
Main Results:
- Pulsatile signal emission timing differs significantly among species.
- Early pulsatile signaling (pre-aggregation) observed in D. discoideum, D. mucoroides, and D. purpureum.
- Late pulsatile signaling (post-aggregation) observed in D. minutum.
- Shift from continuous to pulsatile signaling during aggregation in D. vinaceo-fuscum, D. mexicanum, P. violaceum, and P. pallidum.
- Early pulsatile signaling correlates with the ability to form larger fruiting bodies.
- Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is implicated in coordinating multicellular movements.
Conclusions:
- The timing of pulsatile chemoattractant signaling is a key factor in cellular slime mold development and morphogenesis.
- Early signaling facilitates the organization of larger multicellular structures.
- Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) likely plays a conserved role in coordinating these developmental processes across species.