Changes in protein and RNA during asexual differentiation of Physarum polycephalum

Some of the events during the growth and asexual differentiation of Physarum polycephalum amoebae are described. Encysted amoebae contain low levels of protein and RNA. When these cells are mixed with bacteria and inoculated onto agar plates, there is an increase in cellular RNA content followed by an increase in protein content. The cellular RNA and protein contents of all strains tested decrease during the subsequent cell divisions. In nondifferentiating cells (strain Cl at 30 degrees C and strain LU648), RNA and protein contents continue to decrease, and the cell eventually encyst. In the asexually differentiating strain Cl grown at 26 degrees C, the cellular RNA and protein contents stop decreasing and begin to increase when the first amoebae become committed to form plasmodia. At early stages of differentiation a new 36,000 molecular weight polypeptide appears. In fully formed plasmodia another polypeptide of 38,000 molecular is observed. These two plasmodial-specific polypeptides are among the most abundant plasmodial proteins.