Biomaterial Database

Combinatorial control of cell differentiation by cAMP and DIF-1 during development of Dictyostelium discoideum. 1990

M Berks, and R R Kay

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.

At least three distinct types of cell arise from a population of similar amoebae during Dictyostelium development: prespore, prestalk A and prestalk B cells. We report evidence suggesting that this cellular diversification can be brought about by the combinatorial action of two diffusible signals, cAMP and DIF-1. Cells at different stages of normal development were transferred to shaken suspension, challenged with various combinations of signal molecules and the expression of cell-type-specific mRNA markers measured 1-2 h later. pDd63, pDd56 and D19 mRNAs were used for prestalk A, prestalk B and prespore cells respectively. We find the following results. (1) Cells first become responsive to DIF-1 for prestalk A differentiation and to cAMP for prespore differentiation at the end of aggregation, about 2 h before these cell types normally appear. (2) At the first finger stage of development, when the rate of accumulation of the markers is maximal, the expression of each is favoured by a unique combination of effectors: prespore differentiation is stimulated by cAMP and inhibited by DIF-1; prestalk A differentiation is stimulated by both cAMP and DIF-1 and prestalk B differentiation is stimulated by DIF-1 and inhibited by cAMP. (3) Half-maximal effects are produced by 10-70 nM DIF-1, which is in the physiological range. (4) Ammonia and adenosine, which can affect cell differentiation in other circumstances, have no significant pathway-specific effect in our conditions. These results suggest that cell differentiation could be brought about in normal development by the localized action of cAMP and DIF-1.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002454	Cell Differentiation	Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs.	Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D004023	Dictyostelium	A genus of protozoa, formerly also considered a fungus. Its natural habitat is decaying forest leaves, where it feeds on bacteria. D. discoideum is the best-known species and is widely used in biomedical research.	Dictyostelium discoideum,Dictyostelium discoideums,Dictyosteliums,discoideum, Dictyostelium
D005819	Genetic Markers	A phenotypically recognizable genetic trait which can be used to identify a genetic locus, a linkage group, or a recombination event.	Chromosome Markers,DNA Markers,Markers, DNA,Markers, Genetic,Genetic Marker,Marker, Genetic,Chromosome Marker,DNA Marker,Marker, Chromosome,Marker, DNA,Markers, Chromosome
D006588	Hexanones	6-carbon straight-chain or branched ketones.	Butyl Methyl Ketones,Ethyl Propyl Ketones,Ketones, Butyl Methyl,Ketones, Ethyl Propyl,Methyl Ketones, Butyl,Propyl Ketones, Ethyl
D000241	Adenosine	A nucleoside that is composed of ADENINE and D-RIBOSE. Adenosine or adenosine derivatives play many important biological roles in addition to being components of DNA and RNA. Adenosine itself is a neurotransmitter.	Adenocard,Adenoscan
D000242	Cyclic AMP	An adenine nucleotide containing one phosphate group which is esterified to both the 3'- and 5'-positions of the sugar moiety. It is a second messenger and a key intracellular regulator, functioning as a mediator of activity for a number of hormones, including epinephrine, glucagon, and ACTH.	Adenosine Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic 3,5 Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate,Cyclic AMP, (R)-Isomer,Cyclic AMP, Disodium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monoammonium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monopotassium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monosodium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Sodium Salt,3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine Cyclic,AMP, Cyclic,Adenosine Cyclic 3',5' Monophosphate,Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine,Cyclic Monophosphate, Adenosine,Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine,Monophosphate, Adenosine Cyclic
D000641	Ammonia	A colorless alkaline gas. It is formed in the body during decomposition of organic materials during a large number of metabolically important reactions. Note that the aqueous form of ammonia is referred to as AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE.
D012333	RNA, Messenger	RNA sequences that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Bacterial mRNAs are generally primary transcripts in that they do not require post-transcriptional processing. Eukaryotic mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Most eukaryotic mRNAs have a sequence of polyadenylic acid at the 3' end, referred to as the poly(A) tail. The function of this tail is not known for certain, but it may play a role in the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus as well as in helping stabilize some mRNA molecules by retarding their degradation in the cytoplasm.	Messenger RNA,Messenger RNA, Polyadenylated,Poly(A) Tail,Poly(A)+ RNA,Poly(A)+ mRNA,RNA, Messenger, Polyadenylated,RNA, Polyadenylated,mRNA,mRNA, Non-Polyadenylated,mRNA, Polyadenylated,Non-Polyadenylated mRNA,Poly(A) RNA,Polyadenylated mRNA,Non Polyadenylated mRNA,Polyadenylated Messenger RNA,Polyadenylated RNA,RNA, Polyadenylated Messenger,mRNA, Non Polyadenylated