Effects of light and temperature on macrocyst formation in paired mating types of Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract

Light-dark and temperature shifts performed on myxamoebal populations of mixed mating types indicate that there is early differentiation of the population, leading to macrocyst formation in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Small GTPase RacF2 affects sexual cell fusion and asexual development in Dictyostelium discoideum through the regulation of cell adhesion

“…The racF2 gene caught our attention because of its abundance in the gamete phase cells. The fact that maturation to gametes is induced by dual environmental conditions (Erdos et al 1976), excess water and darkness, and that racF2 expression was enhanced by either condition (Muramoto et al 2003) suggest a critical role in gamete functions. The suppression of self aggregation in FC cells of V12 increased the frequency of mating.…”

Sexual Development of Cellular Slime Molds

“…There are two alleles at the mating type locus of all heterothallic species except Dictyostelium giganteum, which was shown to have four alleles (11). In addition, bisexual strains that can form macrocysts with strains of either mating type, but cannot do so alone, and asexual strains that never form macrocysts have been described (10). The polymorphic mating systems in cellular slime molds are summarized in Table 1.…”

Fusion-inhibiting monoclonal antibodies and their relevant antigens in relation to sexual process of Dictyostelium discoideum

“…The macrocyst formation of cellular slime molds is the sexual process of these organisms [lo]. It requires certain environmental conditions, such as darkness, excess water and presence of calcium ions [2,4,111. As the first step of macrocyst development, amoeboid cells fuse together to form zygotic cells called giant cells [12, 211. Once formed, giant cells play the role of aggregation centers by gathering surrounding cells and eventually engulfing them [12].…”