A mitochondrion as the structural basis of the formation of a cell-type-specific organelle inDictyostelium development

Abstract

Summary.The mitochondrion has been mainly given attention as a self-reproductive and respiratory organelle. We report here that the mitochondrion may participate in the formation of a cell-type-specific organelle, coupling with the Golgi complex. During the development of Dictyostelium discoideum, the two types of cells, i.e., the anterior prestalk cells and the posterior prcspore cells form a polarized cell mass. Prespore differentiation is characterized by the presence of unique vacuoles named PSVs (prespore-specific vacuoles) in the cytoplasm. Thus the PSV is the most essential organdie to understand the structural basis of cell differention in this organism. In differentiating prespore cells, the mitochondrion exerts a remarkable transformation to form a sort of vacuole (M-vacuole). Using a PSV specific antibody, it was immnnocytochemically shown that a PSV antigen (C-10) is localized in the M-vacuole as well as in the lining membrane of PSV. Interestingly, the C-10 antigen was also noticed in the Golgi eisternae that had fused with M-vacuole. Based on these findings, we propose here a promising model which suggests how both mitochondria and Golgi cistemae may be coordinately involved in the PSV formation. This model will provide a new aspect of mitochondrial functions in cell differentiation.

The necessity of mitochondrial genome DNA for normal development ofDictyosteliumcells

“…4B,D). We previously reported that somewhat similar mitochondrial transformation occurred in differentiating prespore cells just before PSV formation (Matsuyama and Maeda, 1998). Nontreated Ax-2 cells contained normal-shaped mitochondria with reticular cisternae and an electron-opaque matrix, as shown in Fig.…”

“…Journal of Cell Science 117 (15) In differentiating prespore cells, mitochondria exhibit a drastic structural transformation to form a sort of vacuole (Mvacuole), in which PSVs are constructed with the help of the Golgi complex (Maeda, 1971;Matsuyama and Maeda, 1998). Interestingly, during the formation of ρ ∆ cells mitochondria exhibit a marked morphological change and form unique vacuoles similar to the M-vacuole (see Fig.…”

“…remarkable structural transformation to form a sort of vacuole (M-vacuole), in which PSV, a cell-type-specific organelle (Maeda and Takeuchi, 1969;Hohl and Hamamoto, 1969), is constructed with the help of the Golgi complex (Matsuyama and Maeda, 1998). Mitochondrial cyanide (CN)-resistant respiration has been shown to be tightly involved in cell-type proportioning (e.g.…”

Transient expression of a mitochondrial gene cluster includingrps4 is essential for the phase-shift ofDictyostelium cells from growth to differentiation

“…In Dictyostelium, PSV (prespore-specific vacuole) has been shown to be formed by structural transformation of mitochondria [Matsuyama and Maeda, 1998]. Involvement of cyanide (CN)-resistant respiration in cell-type proportioning has also been indicated [Matsuyama and Maeda, 1995].…”

Functional genomics inDictyostelium: MidA, a new conserved protein, is required for mitochondrial function and development

“…Previous studies in Dictyostelium have shown the Journal of Cell Science 119 (6) involvement of mitochondria in cell differentiation and pattern formation (Chida et al, 2004;Kotsifas et al, 2002;Matsuyama and Maeda, 1998;Wilczynska et al, 1997). Cells with reduced amount of mitochondrial DNA were obtained by exposing Dictyostelium cells to ethidium bromide (Chida et al, 2004).…”