The Development Of Dictyostelium Discoideum

The Development of Dictyostelium discoideum consists of 11 chapters representing the 11 major aspects at which continuous progress are made in the study of Dictyostelium discoideum. This book begins with the discovery, classification, ecology, and development of Dictyostelium discoideum. It then outlines the advances in genetic manipulation and mutant isolation of the organism. Much of the advances in cell biology have been related to a better understanding of the composition and function of the cell membrane. Hence, analyses of Dictyostelium plasma membranes are collated. This reference material also describes the role of chemoattractants in organizing cell movements and the intracellular events triggered by occupancy of chemoreceptors. It also explains the understanding of the macromolecular components of the chemosensory system of Dictyostelium discoideum. It further discusses the cell motility, cell adhesion, morphogenetic signaling, cytodifferentiation, and gene expression in the species. Finally, the phenomenon of cell-type specification and regulation in this organism is addressed. This book will be valuable for those already familiar with the general outlines of Dictyostelium biology.

Contributors

Preface

1. Comparative Biology of Cellular Slime Molds

I. Historical

II. The Life History

III. Classification

IV. Ecology

V. Development

References

2. Genetics

I. Introduction

II. Chromosomes

III. Genetic Analysis Using the Parasexual Cycle

IV. The Macrocyst Cycle

References

3. Membranes

I. Introduction

II. Membrane Function

III. Membrane Ultrastructure

IV. Isolation of Membranes

V. Composition of Membranes

VI. Extracellular Material

VII. Concluding Remarks

References

4. Chemotaxis

I. Introduction

II. Analysis of Early Aggregation

III. Chemosensory Transduction

IV. Molecular Components of the Chemosensory System

V. Role of the Chemotactic Signal in Early Development

VI. Working Model of Early Aggregation

References

5. Cell Motility

I. Introduction and Perspectives

II. Directed Cell Movement Involves Selective Pseudopod Formation

III. Actin and Myosin Are Primary Components of a Filamentous Matrix That Underlies the Cell Membrane

IV. Actin and Myosin Are Involved in Ca2+-Dependent Contractions and Gelation — Solation Phenomena

V. Dictyostelium Actin

VI. Dictyostelium Myosin

VII. The Interaction of Actin and Myosin May Be Controlled by Ca2+

VIII. Concluding Remarks

References

6. Cell Adhesion

I. Introduction

II. Descriptive Studies Consistent with Selective Cell — Cell Adhesion

III. Quantitative Assay of Cell — Cell Adhesion

IV. The Immunological Approach to the Identification of Cell Adhesion Molecules

V. Lectins in Cell Adhesion

VI. Summary

References

7. The Organization and Expression of the Dictyostelium Genome

I. Introduction

II. General Properties of Genome Structure

III. General Patterns of mRNA Transcription and Maturation

IV. Genes Encoding Abundant Stable RNAs

V. Patterns of Developmental Gene Expression

VI. Actin Multigene Family

VII. Discoidin I Multigene Family

VIII. Transcription of Short, Interspersed Repeat Sequences

IX. Sequences Common to the 5'-Ends of Dictyostelium Genes

X. RNA Polymerases and Transcription in Isolated Nuclei

XI. DNA-Mediated Transformation

XII. Conclusions and Perspectives

References

8. Control of Gene Expression

I. Developmental Changes in Gene Expression

II. The Number of Developmentally Regulated Genes

III. Appearance of Aggregation-Stage mRNAs Is under Transcriptional Control

IV. Stability of mRNAs during Differentiation

V. Requirement for Induction of Aggregation-Dependent mRNAs

VI. Gene Expression Is Dependent on Continued Cell — Cell Interactions

VII. cAMP and Gene Expression during Differentiation

VIII. Conclusion

References

9. Morphogenetic Signaling, Cytodifferentiation, and Gene Expression

I. Introduction

II. Cell Contact-Mediated Signaling

III. Positional Signaling

IV. Holistic Signaling

V. A Unified Theory of Morphogenesis and Cytodifferentiation

References

10. Polysphondylium and Dependent Sequences

I. Introduction

II. Morphogenesis

III. Pallidin

IV. Microcysts

V. Dependent Pathways

VI. Commitment

VII. Prospects

References

11. Cell Proportioning and Pattern Formation

I. Introduction

II. The Spatial Pattern

III. The Role of the Slug Pattern in Terminal Differentiation

IV. Cell Sorting

V. Diffusible Substances That May Control Differentiation

VI. Theories of Cell Proportioning and Pattern Formation

VII. Summary

References

Bibliography on Dictyostelium

Index