Chemotaxis in Dictyostelium discoideum: effect of concanavalin A on chemoattractant mediated cyclic gmp accumulation anlight scattering decrease

Cell Biol Int Rep. 1978 Mar;2(2):163-70. doi: 10.1016/0309-1651(78)90037-1.

Abstract

In cells of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum concanavalin A (Con A), at a concentration of 100 microgram per ml, inhibits folic acid and cyclic AMP induced decrease in light scattering. Con A has no effect on folic acid mediated cyclic GMP accumulation and increases cyclic AMP mediated cyclic GMP accumulation two-fold. At a lower Con A concentration, 10 microgram per ml, changes in light scattering induced by folic acid are normal and cyclic AMP induces a monophasic instead of a biphasic response. The stimulatory effect of Con A on cyclic AMP mediated cyclic GMP accumulation is still observable at 10 microgram Con A per ml. When cells are repeatedly stimulated with cyclic AMP, a decrease in light scattering without being accompanied by changes in cyclic GMP concentration is observed. Based on these results a model for chemotaxis is proposed.

MeSH terms

  • Chemotaxis / drug effects*
  • Concanavalin A / pharmacology*
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism*
  • Dictyostelium / drug effects*
  • Dictyostelium / physiology
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology
  • Light
  • Myxomycetes / drug effects*
  • Scattering, Radiation

Substances

  • Concanavalin A
  • Folic Acid
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic GMP