Biomaterial Database

Developmentally regulated enzymes and cyclic AMP-binding sites in Dictyostelium discoideum cells blocked during development by alpha-chymotrypsin. 1982

J A Schmidt, and J L Stirling

When cells of the slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum are allowed to starve in the presence of alpha-chymotrypsin, they are blocked in development at the stage where tight aggregates form tips. Analysis of developmentally regulated enzymes has shown that alpha-mannosidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, threonine deaminase, tyrosine aminotransferase, beta-glucosidase and the carbohydrate-binding protein discoidin are unaffected, but enzymes that show an increase in specific activity during post-aggregative development, namely glycogen phosphorylase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, UDP-galactose polysaccharide transferase and alkaline phosphatase, did not show the characteristic increase when development was blocked by alpha-chymotrypsin. Recovery of cells from the effects of alpha-chymotrypsin was accompanied by the formation of fruiting bodies and a concomitant increase in the specific activity of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Uptake or efflux of 45Ca2+ was not altered in the presence of alpha-chymotrypsin. Cells allowed to develop in alpha-chymotrypsin, or treated with the enzyme for 15 min, had a markedly reduced ability to bind cyclic AMP with low affinity; high-affinity binding was unaffected. Pronase had a similar effect on cyclic AMP binding, but trypsin, which does not alter developmental processes, has no effect on cyclic AMP binding to D. discoideum cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011953	Receptors, Cyclic AMP	Cell surface proteins that bind cyclic AMP with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behavior of cells. The best characterized cyclic AMP receptors are those of the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. The transcription regulator CYCLIC AMP RECEPTOR PROTEIN of prokaryotes is not included nor are the eukaryotic cytoplasmic cyclic AMP receptor proteins which are the regulatory subunits of CYCLIC AMP-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASES.	Cyclic AMP Receptors,cAMP Receptors,Cyclic AMP Receptor,Receptors, cAMP,cAMP Receptor,Receptor, Cyclic AMP,Receptor, cAMP
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002449	Cell Aggregation	The phenomenon by which dissociated cells intermixed in vitro tend to group themselves with cells of their own type.	Aggregation, Cell,Aggregations, Cell,Cell Aggregations
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D002463	Cell Membrane Permeability	A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells.	Permeability, Cell Membrane
D002918	Chymotrypsin	A serine endopeptidase secreted by the pancreas as its zymogen, CHYMOTRYPSINOGEN and carried in the pancreatic juice to the duodenum where it is activated by TRYPSIN. It selectively cleaves aromatic amino acids on the carboxyl side.	Alpha-Chymotrypsin Choay,Alphacutanée,Avazyme
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
D005957	UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase	An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of UDPglucose from UTP plus glucose 1-phosphate. EC 2.7.7.9.	Glucosephosphate Uridylyltransferase,UDP Glucose Pyrophosphorylase,UDPG Pyrophosphorylase,Pyrophosphorylase, UDP Glucose,Pyrophosphorylase, UDPG,UTP Glucose 1 Phosphate Uridylyltransferase,Uridylyltransferase, Glucosephosphate,Uridylyltransferase, UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate