A comparison of high frequency switching in the yeast Candida albicans and the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum

Recently, high frequency switching systems have been identified in the infectious yeast Candida albicans and the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. In C. albicans, cells can switch at spontaneous frequencies as high as 10(-2) between seven general colony morphologies in the case of strain 3153A or between two major phenotypes in the white-opaque transition in strain WO-1. In the latter system, dramatic changes occur in cellular phenotype as well. In D. discoideum, cells can switch at spontaneous frequencies of roughly 10(-2) between a number of colony phenotypes which include alterations in developmental timing, blocks at particular morphogenetic stages, morphological aberrations, and aggregation-minus. In the C. albicans and D. discoideum switching systems, the following characteristics are shared: 1) a limited number of switch phenotypes; 2) heritability; 3) high frequency reversibility; 4) low and high frequency modes of switching; and 5) ultraviolet (UV) stimulation of switching of cells in a low frequency mode of switching.     

Characterization of a novel calmodulin from Dictyostelium discoideum

We have purified calmodulin from the eukaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum (Clarke, M., Bazari, W. L., and Kayman, S. C. (1980) J. Bacteriol. 141, 397-400) and have compared it to calmodulin purified from bovine brain. The two proteins behaved almost identically during fractionation on ion exchange and gel filtration columns and on isoelectric focusing gels. Dictyostelium calmodulin had one-third the specific activity of brain calmodulin in the Ca2+-dependent activation of brain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase; this activation was inhibited for both proteins by 25 microM trifluoperazine. Dictyostelium calmodulin also activated erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and interacted with the inhibitory subunit of skeletal muscle troponin. Competition radioimmune assays showed that Dictyostelium calmodulin could compete with brain calmodulin for antibodies to brain calmodulin. These similarities indicate a close relationship between Dictyostelium and brain calmodulin and suggest that the functional capabilities of the protein have been conserved even among evolutionarily distant species. However, substantial differences in primary structure were detected by amino acid analyses and peptide mapping. Most interesting is the lack of trimethyllysine in Dictyostelium calmodulin. This unusual amino acid, which is commonly found in calmodulins, is therefore not essential for interaction between calmodulin and the calmodulin-regulated proteins tested here.     

An analysis of developmental timing in Dictyostelium discoideum

A new method has been developed to assess the minimum complexity and relationships of those pathways (developmental timers) which time the consecutive stages of a developing system (Soll, 1983). This method has been applied to the morphogenetic program of Dictyostelium discoideum and has resulted in (1) a minimum estimate of the number of components comprising the timers for the first seven stages of morphogenesis, (2) a characterization of the temperature sensitivities of these components including demonstration of a reversible timer component, (3) detailed temporal definition of a number of transition points between rate-limiting components including a major branch point for the onset of several independent timer components coincident with the onset of aggregation, and (4) a temporal model for the relationships between the timers of the seven consecutive morphogenetic stages, including several examples of parallel timers.     

The timing of cell-type-specific differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum

We have used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to identify over 30 proteins which are specific to one or other of the two cell types of Dictyostelium discoideum, either at the slug stage or in mature fruiting bodies. Our results support the idea that there is a continuous developmental program that begins in prespore cells at the hemispherical mound stage (10-12 hr) and results in spore differentiation (24 hr). Prestalk differentiation, on the other hand, appeared largely unrelated to stalk differentiation, which was first detectable at the onset of culmination (18 hr). We have also used this approach to study the differentiation of stalk-only mutants and have found that the cells can switch from spore to stalk differentiation as late as 2 hr before the end of the wild-type developmental program.     

The spore coat of a fucosylation mutant in Dictyostelium discoideum

Strain HL250 of Dictyostelium discoideum cannot convert GDP-mannose to GDP-fucose, resulting in an inability to fucosylate protein. This affects a group of proteins which are normally fucosylated intracellularly and then secreted via prespore vesicles to become part of the outer lamina of the spore coat. We have found that strain HL250 nevertheless accumulates typical amounts of these proteins, stores them normally in prespore vesicles, and secretes them normally to become a part of the spore coat. However, affected proteins are proteolyzed after germination, the spore coat is more accessible to penetration by a macromolecular probe, and germination is inefficient in older spores. These findings can be explained by a dependence of the integrity of the outer layer of the spore coat on protein-linked fucose.     

Altered prestarvation response in a nystatin resistant Dictyostelium discoideum mutant

Abstract Wild-type Dictyostelium amoebae secrete an autocrine, prestarvation factor (PSF) that allows them to measure the amount of food bacteria compared to their cell density. When the ratio of PSF to bacteria reaches a threshold, the cells are signaled to prepare for eventual starvation. This prestarvation response (PSR) usually starts three to four generations before the end of exponential growth, leading to the accumulation of several aggregation specific genes during growth. We characterize a nystatin-resistant mutant, HK19, that expresses the PSR genes three generations earlier than wild type but has an otherwise wild-type PSR. Although HK19 has a full PSR during growth, HK19 continues to grow at the wild-type rate and reaches normal cell densities. Because HK19 temporally separates the PSR from starvation, it became possible to test whether starvation is required for development. Since HK19 growing at low density can be induced to clump with either cAMP or folate, it appears that the PSR and an external signal are sufficient for entry into development. These data suggest that the PSR is a complex genetic pathway that induces genes involved in the exit from growth and the entry into development.     

Altered prestarvation response in a nystatin resistant Dictyostelium discoideum mutant

Wild-type Dictyostelium amoebae secrete an autocrine, prestarvation factor (PSF) that allows them to measure the amount of food bacteria compared to their cell density. When the ratio of PSF to bacteria reaches a threshold, the cells are signaled to prepare for eventual starvation. This prestarvation response (PSR) usually starts three to four generations before the end of exponential growth, leading to the accumulation of several aggregation specific genes during growth. We characterize a nystatin-resistant mutant, HK19, that expresses the PSR genes three generations earlier than wild type but has an otherwise wild-type PSR. Although HK19 has a full PSR during growth, HK19 continues to grow at the wild-type rate and reaches normal cell densities. Because HK19 temporally separates the PSR from starvation, it became possible to test whether starvation is required for development. Since HK19 growing at low density can be induced to clump with either cAMP or folate, it appears that the PSR and an external signal are sufficient for entry into development. These data suggest that the PSR is a complex genetic pathway that induces genes involved in the exit from growth and the entry into development.     

Characterization of a cAMP-stimulated cAMP phosphodiesterase in Dictyostelium discoideum

A cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, PdeE, that harbors two cyclic nucleotide binding motifs and a binuclear Zn(2+)-binding domain was characterized in Dictyostelium. In other eukaryotes, the Dictyostelium domain shows greatest homology to the 73-kDa subunit of the pre-mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor. The Dictyostelium PdeE gene is expressed at its highest levels during aggregation, and its disruption causes the loss of a cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity. The pdeE null mutants show a normal cAMP-induced cGMP response and a 1.5-fold increase of cAMP-induced cAMP relay. Overexpression of a PdeE-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fusion construct causes inhibition of aggregation and loss of the cAMP relay response, but the cells can aggregate in synergy with wild-type cells. The PdeE-YFP fusion protein was partially purified by immunoprecipitation and biochemically characterized. PdeE and its Dictyostelium ortholog, PdeD, are both maximally active at pH 7.0. Both enzymes require bivalent cations for activity. The common cofactors Zn(2+) and Mg(2+) activated PdeE and PdeD maximally at 10 mm, whereas Mn(2+) activated the enzymes to 4-fold higher levels, with half-maximal activation between 10 and 100 microm. PdeE is an allosteric enzyme, which is approximately 4-fold activated by cAMP, with half-maximal activation occurring at about 10 microm and an apparent K(m) of approximately 1 mm. cGMP is degraded at a 6-fold lower rate than cAMP. Neither cGMP nor 8-Br-cAMP are efficient activators of PdeE activity.     

Characterization of a vacuolar proton ATPase in Dictyostelium discoideum

Of the total ATPase activity in homogenates of the ameba, Dictyostelium discoideum, approximately one-third was inhibited at pH 7 by 25 microM 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl). Upon isopycnic sucrose density gradient centrifugation, the bulk of the NBD-CI-sensitive ATPase activity was recovered in a major membrane fraction with a broad peak at 1.16 g/ml, well-resolved from markers for plasma membranes, mitochondria, lysosomes and contractile vacuoles. The gradient peak had a specific activity of 0.5 mumol/min per mg protein. The activity was half-inhibited by 1 microM silicotungstate, 2 microM diisothiocyanatostilbene disulfonate (DIDS), 2.5 microM dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), 4 microM NBD-CI and 20 microM N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) but was resistant to conventional inhibitors of mitochondrial and plasma membrane ATPase. That this ATPase activity constituted a proton pump was shown by the MgATP-dependent uptake and quenching of Acridine orange fluorescence by partially purified vacuoles. The Acridine orange uptake was specifically blocked by the aforementioned inhibitors. The generation of proton electrochemical gradients was suggested by the stimulation of enzyme activity by protonophores (fatty acids) and cation exchangers (nigericin). Uncoupling stimulated the ATPase activity as much as 20-fold, revealing an unusually high impermeability of the membranes to protons. ATPase activity was also stimulated by halide ions, apparently through a parallel conductance pathway. Under a variety of sensitive test conditions, the reverse enzyme reaction (i.e., incorporation of 32Pi into ATP) was not detected. We conclude that this major H+-ATPase serves to acidify the abundant prelysosomal vacuoles found in D. discoideum (Padh et al. (1989) J. Cell Biol. 108, 865-874). The finding of a vacuolar H+-ATPase in a protist suggests the ubiquity of this enzyme among the eukaryotic kingdoms.     

Characterization of genes which are deactivated upon the onset of development in Dictyostelium discoideum

We have identified and begun characterizations of the differential expression of 15 genes whose corresponding mRNA levels decrease during the preaggregative period of the developmental program of Dictyostelium discoideum. Upon the onset of development, the mRNAs decrease from 5- to 1000-fold over the first 8 hr. The rates of loss of each mRNA were similar to one another but distinct, and the decreases were dependent on progress through the developmental program. One exception to this dependency was observed, and the decrease in this mRNA was dependent on the absolute time after initiation of development instead of progress through development. With two exceptions, the decreases in mRNA levels were dependent on developmental conditions and were not seen when cells were shaken in starvation buffer. When the polysomal distributions of each species were examined, three classes were found: most showed no significant shifts off of polysomes upon initiation of development, two were characterized by a 20% shift to nonpolysomal RNA fractions upon development, and two gave a 40-50% shift. Collectively, these characterizations reveal differences in behavior which suggest that deactivation of genes upon initiation of development in Dictyostelium involves more than one regulatory pathway.     

Rescue of a Dictyostelium discoideum mutant defective in cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase

One of the developmentally induced gene products that is essential for chemotaxis of Dictyostelium amoebae is a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The enzyme can be secreted or exist in a membrane bound form. This enzyme is missing in the mutant HPX235 which, as a consequence, does not aggregate unless exogenous cAMP phosphodiesterase is supplied. We have introduced multiple copies of the cloned phosphodiesterase gene into mutant amoebae and restored aggregation. The formation of anatomically correct fruiting bodies, which does not occur when exogenous enzyme is added, is also restored by transformation with the gene. The construct that we have used gives rise only to secreted phosphodiesterase and therefore the membrane bound form of the enzyme is not absolutely required for normal aggregation and morphogenesis.     

Conditional intercellular cohesion in a Dictyostelium discoideum mutant which is temperature sensitive for correct processing of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides.

Mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum have been isolated by a selection for cells with temperature-sensitive defects in the maturation of glycoprotein N-linked oligosaccharides. Here we describe a mutant, HT7, which is unable to aggregate at the restrictive temperature, but which aggregates and makes fruiting bodies at the permissive temperature. HT7 shows normal early developmental intercellular cohesion, but is temperature sensitive for expression of the ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-resistant cohesion characteristic of aggregation. The mutant initiates aggregation, but forms only loose cell mounds which later disperse. Metabolic labelling studies indicate that the thermolabile defect is not in protein synthesis, assembly of the lipid-linked precursor of N-linked oligosaccharides or transfer of the precursor to proteins. However, the defect does prevent assembly of fully processed N-linked oligosaccharides. Further, two glycopeptides, obtained from exhaustive Pronase digests of wild-type plasma membrane glycoproteins, inhibit intercellular cohesion of aggregation-stage wild-type cells. HT7 produces only approximately 50% of the wild-type level of these glycopeptides at the restrictive temperature and one of the glycopeptides has reduced cohesion inhibition ability. A revertant of HT7 was found to aggregate normally, to have restored EDTA-resistant cohesion, to have normal profiles of N-linked oligosaccharides and to express the two cohesion-inhibiting glycopeptides normally. These data strongly support a model in which cohesion during late aggregation is at least in part due to recognition between surface glycans and receptors on neighbouring cells.     

Characterization of a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol degrading activity in Dictyostelium discoideum membranes

Antigen 117 is a glycolipid-anchored cell surface protein implicated in cell-cell cohesion of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae. Previous studies have demonstrated that during cell aggregation some of the protein is released from the cell surface. Here we report the characterization of the enzymatic activity involved in the 117 antigen release. The data indicate that the releasing enzyme is a phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C. The data also indicate that structural features of glycolipid anchors are conserved in a variety of organisms.     

Intracellular cAMP in Dictyostelium discoideum: Characterization of an aggregation-deficient mutant with elevated cAMP pools

Forty aggregation-deficient mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum were screened for changes in intracellular cAMP during the first 10 hr of starvation. The pools in 39 of the mutants remained low and relatively static during this period. However, amoebae of one mutant, strain HC151, exhibited significantly elevated levels of intracellular cAMP during vegetative growth and for several hours after starvation. A more detailed analysis of this mutant indicated that the elevated cAMP pools in these cells are a consequence of the premature appearance and partial activation of an adenylate cyclase. The mutation(s) altering adenylate cyclase regulation in this strain appears to map in linkage group IV. Complementation tests between strain HC151 and another mutant, HH201, which has recently been shown to produce an adenylate cyclase activity precociously [1], indicated that the mutations affecting adenylate cyclase activity in these strains map at different loci. Although both of these mutations behave recessively in heterozygous diploids with respect to gross development, an examination of early cAMP metabolism and terminal spore differentiation in these diploids suggest that these mutations are at least partially expressed during some stage(s) of the developmental cycle.     

Reduced cAMP secretion in Dictyostelium discoideum mutant HB3

Extracellular cAMP induces the intracellular synthesis and subsequent secretion of cAMP in Dictyostelium discoideum (relay). cAMP relay was strongly diminished in mutant HB3 which shows abnormal development by making very small fruiting bodies. Extracellular cAMP binds to receptors on the surface of mutant cells and induces the rapid activation of adenylate cyclase. Intracellular cAMP rises to a concentration as high as that in wild-type cells but only a very small amount of cAMP is secreted. cAMP secretion in wild-type cells starts immediately after cAMP production, and is proportional to the intracellular cAMP concentration. In the mutant cells cAMP secretion starts a few minutes after cAMP production; by that time most of the intracellular cAMP is already degraded by phosphodiesterase and little cAMP is available for secretion. We conclude that mutant HB3 has a defect in the mechanism by which Dictyostelium cells secrete cAMP.     

Cellular responsiveness to cyclic AMP in a phosphodiesterase-defective mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum

Responsiveness of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae to cAMP, a chemotactic mediator, was investigated in a strain defective in cAMP-phosphodiesterase production. Cells were subjected to a high cAMP signal (10(-6) M) in the presence or absence of exogenous phosphodiesterase, and the changes of intracellular cAMP and cGMP concentrations and of adenylate cyclase activity were measured. In the presence of cAMP hydrolysis, both adenylate and guanylate cyclases are transiently activated. In the absence of hydrolysis, the high and constant extracellular cAMP concentration is sufficient to elicit a re-activation of adenylate cyclase a few minutes after the first transient response. In contrast, levels of cGMP remain basal for at least 20 min after termination of the initial response to the cAMP addition.     

Aberrant folate response and premature development in a mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum

Growth and development are mutually exclusive in Dictyostelium discoideum. The transition between the two stages of the life cycle is regulated by the relative abundance of nutrients and proteins secreted by the cells which reflect population density. At the transition from growth to development, the discoidin genes--developmental markers--are induced by the "quorum" protein PSF. The effect of PSF is counteracted by food bacteria and by folate [8]. We show that folate treatment during growth delays morphologic development. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in a mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum (V188, renamed HBW3), which expresses discoidinI during growth and which develops rapidly [46], discoidinI expression is less sensitive to folate than in wild type cells. Finally, we present evidence that fragments of the discoidinI gamma promoter which are unresponsive to PSF and CM are sufficient for misregulation in the mutant. The only known regulator of these promoter elements is folate. Changes in the expression of other early developmental genes are also shown. Taken together, these data suggest that the reduced sensitivity to folate might be the cause for the "rapid development" phenotype of the mutant and that folate regulates developmental timing.     

Characterization of colchicine-binding activity in Dictyostelium discoideum.

A colchicine-binding component was detected in vegetative amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum by using a Millipore-filter assay. The colchicine-binding activity is temperature-and time-dependent, maximum binding occurring at 22-35 degrees C after 60 min incubation. Further increases in temperature are without effect on the extent of binding, but bound colchicine is released with increased time of incubation. Furthermore, colchicine-binding activity itself decreased in the high-speed supernatant from D. discoideum, with half the activity being lost in approx. 2.5h. Several lines of evidence, including the saturation kinetics of colchicine binding, enhancement of colchicine binding by tartrate, insensitivity to lumicolchicine, precipitation of the binding protein by vinblastine and behaviour of the binding protein on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex resins, suggest that the colchicine-binding protein may be tubulin.