Inhibition of cell-cell binding at the aggregation stage of Dictyostelium discoideum development by monoclonal antibodies directed against an 80,000-dalton surface glycoprotein

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared against a putative cell-cell adhesion molecule, a surface glycoprotein with an apparent Mr of 80,000 (gp80), from Dictyostelium discoideum. Seven monoclonal antibodies directed against gp80 were characterized and found to fall into three distinct classes. Class I consisted of one monoclonal antibody, is monospecific for gp80, and probably recognizes the peptide portion of the molecule. This class was capable of blocking the EDTA-resistant contact sites effectively. Class II recognized the carbohydrate moiety of gp80 and cross-reacted with a large number of glycoproteins. These monoclonal antibodies partially inhibited cell reassociation. Class III recognized gp80 and one other glycoprotein of Mr 95,000. This class had no effect on cell-cell binding. The class I monoclonal antibody was most potent in inhibiting cell reassociation at the aggregation stage of development. Its effect decreased drastically as development progressed and became negligible by the culmination stage. These observations are consistent with a direct role of gp80 in cell-cell binding and suggest a transient function for gp80 at the aggregation stage.