Cell Communication and Cyclic-AMP Regulation during Aggregation of the Slime Mold, Dictyostelium discoideum

  • G. Gerisch
  • D. Malchow
  • B. Hess
Conference paper
Part of the Colloquium der Gesellschaft für Biologische Chemie 25.–27. April 1974 in Mosbach/Baden book series (MOSBACH, volume 25)

Abstract

The signal systems functioning in aggregation of Dictyostelium cells are being investigated with increasing intensity in the hope that this organism might function to some extent as a model for cell interactions in embryogenesis. The principal peculiarity of Dictyostelium resides in the formation of a multicellular organism by aggregation of single cells. During its growth-phase, the organism exists in the state of single, amoeboid cells. Several hours after end of growth these cells aggregate, forming a polar body along which they differentiale into either spores or stalk cells, the final cell types constituting the fruiting body [1]. As a microorganism, D. discoideum provides the advantages of growth in submerged mass culture, and of the ease to obtain and to cultivate mutants blocked in morphogenesis. In this paper we shall discuss cell communication by diffusible transmitters, and particularly the function of cyclic AMP in the aggregation phase of D. discoideum.

Keywords

Dictyostelium Discoideum Slime Mold Chemotactic Response Spike Generation Phosphodiesterase Activity 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. 1.
    Bonner, J. T.: The cellular slime molds. Princeton (N.J.): University Press 1967.Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Gerisch, G.: Wilhelm Roux’ Arch. Entwickl.-Mech. Org. 156, 127–144 (1965).Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Naijundiah, V.: Tübingen (personal communication).Google Scholar
  4. 4.
    Moxx,M.: Edinburgh (personal communication).Google Scholar
  5. 5.
    Gerisch, G.: In: Moscona, A. A., Monroy, A. (Eds.): Current topics in development biology, Vol. 3, pp. 157–197. New York-London: Academic Press 1968.Google Scholar
  6. 6.
    Cohen,M.H., Robertson, A.: J. theoret. Biol. 31, 101–118 (1971).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Smoes,M.-L., Dreitlein,J.: J. chem. Phys. 59, 6277–6285 (1973).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. 8.
    Witfree,A.T.: SIAM-AMS Proceedings 8 (1974).Google Scholar
  9. 9.
    Winfree, A. T.: Science 175, 634–636 (1972).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.
    Bonner, J. T., Barkley, D. S., Hall, E M, Konijn, T. M., Manson, J. W., O’Keefe III, G., Wolfe,P.B.: Develop. Biol. 20, 72–87 (1969).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.
    Konijn,T.M.: Advanc. Cyclic Nucleotide Res. 1, 17–31 (1972).Google Scholar
  12. 12.
    Robertson, A., Drage,D.J., Cohen,M.H.: Science 175, 333–335 (1972).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. 13.
    Rossomaxno,E.F., Sussman,M.: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 47, 604–610 (1972).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    Rossomando,E.F., Sussman,M.: Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 70, 1254–1257 (1973).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. 15.
    Malchow, D., Nägele, B., Schwarz, H., Gerisch, G.: Europ. J. Biochem. 28, 136–142 (1972).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. 16.
    Malchow,D., Gerisch, G.: Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 71, 2423–2427 (1974).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. 17.
    Riedel, V., Gerisch, G., Müller, E, Beug, H.: J. molec. Biol. 74, 573–585 (1973).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. 18.
    Gerisch, G., Malchow, D., Riedel, V., Müller, E., Every, M.: Nature (Lond.) New Biol. 235, 90–92 (1972).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. 19.
    Pannbacker, R. G., Bravard, L. J.: Science 175, 1014–1015 (1972).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Malchow,D., Naijundiah,V.: Biochem. Biophys. Acta, in press.Google Scholar
  21. 21.
    Malchow,D., Fuchila,J.: Febs Letters 34, 5–9 (1973).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. 22.
    Gerisch, G., Hess,B.: Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 71, 2118–2122 (1974).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. 23.
    Macnab,R.M., Kosilaxd,D.E.,Jr.: Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 69, 2509–2512 (1972).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. 24.
    Berg,H.C., Brown,D.A.: Nature (Lond.) 239, 500–504 (1972).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. 25.
    Gerisch, G.: Naturwissenschaften 58, 430–438 (1971).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. 26.
    Wick,U.: Diplomarbeit, Universität Tübingen (1974).Google Scholar
  27. 27.
    Durston,A.J.: Develop. Biol. 37, 225–235 (1974).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. 28.
    Goldbetter, A.: Rehovot (personal communication).Google Scholar
  29. 29.
    Malkinson,A.M., Ashworth,J.M.: Biochem. J. 134, 311–319 (1973).PubMedGoogle Scholar
  30. 30.
    Shaffer, B.M.: Advances in Morphogenesis 2, 109–182 (1962).Google Scholar
  31. 31.
    Malchow, D., Gerisch, G.: Biophys. Biophys. Res. Commun. 55, 200–204 (1973).CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg 1974

Authors and Affiliations

  • G. Gerisch
    • 1
  • D. Malchow
    • 1
  • B. Hess
    • 2
  1. 1.Friedrich-Miescher-Laboratorium der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft74 TübingenFederal Republic of Germany
  2. 2.Max-Planck-Institut für Ernährungsphysiologie46 DortmundFederal Republic of Germany

Personalised recommendations