We have analyzed the expression of a series of developmentally regulated genes in the Dictyostelium discoideum strain JC-5. This strain has been previously described as a temperature-sensitive, cohesion-defective derivative of FR17, itself a temporally deranged mutant of wild-type NC-4. At restrictive temperature (27 degrees C), JC-5 initially acquires EDTA-resistant cell contacts but at the time of tip formation (12 hr) loses the ability to make specific cell-cell associations and regresses to an amorphous mound of cells. WE have found that genes preferentially expressed in either prespore or prestalk cells are expressed prior to the appearance of the cohesion defect in JC-5; the specific cell contact system defective in this strain is necessary for neither the proper initiation nor maintenance of expression of either prespore of prestalk genes. We have also found, by use of an in vitro cell suspension system, that JC-5 is temperature-sensitive with respect to gene expression several hours before the defect in cell cohesion is observable. Our data suggest that the defect in JC-5 is due to a specific lesion not in the late cohesion system but rather in a more general component that is required earlier in the developmental process.