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Cell patterning in Dictyostelium.

J D Gross, C D Town, J J Brookman

    Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
    |October 7, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Dictyostelium discoideum cell differentiation into stalk and spore cells is regulated by cyclic AMP and a lipid-like factor (differentiation-inducing factor, DIF). Ammonia acts as an inhibitor in this process, suggesting a two-component patterning mechanism.

    Area of Science:

    • Cell biology
    • Developmental biology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Cellular slime molds like Dictyostelium discoideum exhibit complex developmental patterns.
    • Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cell fate determination (stalk vs. spore) is crucial for developmental biology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the factors controlling the prestalk:prespore pattern in Dictyostelium discoideum.
    • To elucidate the roles of cyclic AMP, differentiation-inducing factor (DIF), and ammonia in cell differentiation.

    Main Methods:

    • Culturing of Dictyostelium discoideum cell monolayers under varying densities and media conditions.
    • Observation and analysis of stalk and spore cell formation.
    • Assay of cellular responses to cyclic AMP, DIF, and ammonia.

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    Main Results:

    • Stalk cell formation requires cyclic AMP and DIF, released by high-density cells.
    • Sporogenous mutants efficiently form spores at low density, sometimes enhanced by protective agents.
    • Wild-type amoebae at low density differentiate into prespore cells.
    • Evidence suggests DIF acts as an activator and ammonia as an inhibitor in a two-component patterning system.

    Conclusions:

    • Cell-cell contact is not essential for Dictyostelium discoideum differentiation.
    • A two-component model involving DIF (activator) and ammonia (inhibitor) explains prestalk:prespore pattern formation.
    • This study provides insights into the signaling pathways governing cell differentiation in a model organism.