The Development Of Dictyostelium Discoideum

The Development of Dictyostelium discoideum consists of 11 chapters representing the 11 major aspects at which continuous progress are made in the study of Dictyostelium discoideum.
This book begins with the discovery, classification, ecology, and development of Dictyostelium discoideum. It then outlines the advances in genetic manipulation and mutant isolation of the organism. Much of the advances in cell biology have been related to a better understanding of the composition and function of the cell membrane. Hence, analyses of Dictyostelium plasma membranes are collated. This reference material also describes the role of chemoattractants in organizing cell movements and the intracellular events triggered by occupancy of chemoreceptors. It also explains the understanding of the macromolecular components of the chemosensory system of Dictyostelium discoideum. It further discusses the cell motility, cell adhesion, morphogenetic signaling, cytodifferentiation, and gene expression in the species. Finally, the phenomenon of cell-type specification and regulation in this organism is addressed.
This book will be valuable for those already familiar with the general outlines of Dictyostelium biology.

Contenu

Contributors
Preface

1. Comparative Biology of Cellular Slime Molds
   I. Historical
   II. The Life History
   III. Classification
   IV. Ecology
   V. Development
   References
2. Genetics
   I. Introduction
   II. Chromosomes
   III. Genetic Analysis Using the Parasexual Cycle
   IV. The Macrocyst Cycle
   References
3. Membranes
   I. Introduction
   II. Membrane Function
   III. Membrane Ultrastructure
   IV. Isolation of Membranes
   V. Composition of Membranes
   VI. Extracellular Material
   VII. Concluding Remarks
   References
4. Chemotaxis
   I. Introduction
   II. Analysis of Early Aggregation
   III. Chemosensory Transduction
   IV. Molecular Components of the Chemosensory System
   V. Role of the Chemotactic Signal in Early Development
   VI. Working Model of Early Aggregation
   References
5. Cell Motility
   I. Introduction and Perspectives
   II. Directed Cell Movement Involves Selective Pseudopod Formation
   III. Actin and Myosin Are Primary Components of a Filamentous Matrix That Underlies the Cell Membrane
   IV. Actin and Myosin Are Involved in Ca2+-Dependent Contractions and Gelation - Solation Phenomena
   V. Dictyostelium Actin
   VI. Dictyostelium Myosin
   VII. The Interaction of Actin and Myosin May Be Controlled by Ca2+
   VIII. Concluding Remarks
   References
6. Cell Adhesion
   I. Introduction
   II. Descriptive Studies Consistent with Selective Cell - Cell Adhesion
   III. Quantitative Assay of Cell - Cell Adhesion
   IV. The Immunological Approach to the Identification of Cell Adhesion Molecules
   V. Lectins in Cell Adhesion
   VI. Summary
   References
7. The Organization and Expression of the Dictyostelium Genome
   I. Introduction
   II. General Properties of Genome Structure
   III. General Patterns of mRNA Transcription and Maturation
   IV. Genes Encoding Abundant Stable RNAs
   V. Patterns of Developmental Gene Expression
   VI. Actin Multigene Family
   VII. Discoidin I Multigene Family
   VIII. Transcription of Short, Interspersed Repeat Sequences
   IX. Sequences Common to the 5'-Ends of Dictyostelium Genes
   X. RNA Polymerases and Transcription in Isolated Nuclei
   XI. DNA-Mediated Transformation
   XII. Conclusions and Perspectives
   References
8. Control of Gene Expression
   I. Developmental Changes in Gene Expression
   II. The Number of Developmentally Regulated Genes
   III. Appearance of Aggregation-Stage mRNAs Is under Transcriptional Control
   IV. Stability of mRNAs during Differentiation
   V. Requirement for Induction of Aggregation-Dependent mRNAs
   VI. Gene Expression Is Dependent on Continued Cell - Cell Interactions
   VII. cAMP and Gene Expression during Differentiation
   VIII. Conclusion
   References
9. Morphogenetic Signaling, Cytodifferentiation, and Gene Expression
   I. Introduction
   II. Cell Contact-Mediated Signaling
   III. Positional Signaling
   IV. Holistic Signaling
   V. A Unified Theory of Morphogenesis and Cytodifferentiation
   References
10. Polysphondylium and Dependent Sequences
    I. Introduction
    II. Morphogenesis
    III. Pallidin
    IV. Microcysts
    V. Dependent Pathways
    VI. Commitment
    VII. Prospects
    References
11. Cell Proportioning and Pattern Formation
    I. Introduction
    II. The Spatial Pattern
    III. The Role of the Slug Pattern in Terminal Differentiation
    IV. Cell Sorting
    V. Diffusible Substances That May Control Differentiation
    VI. Theories of Cell Proportioning and Pattern Formation
    VII. Summary
    References
    Bibliography on Dictyostelium
    Index