A stalk-specific localization of trehalase activity in Dictyostelium discoideum.

By utilizing ultra-microtechniques, trehalase activity was followed in specific cell types during the differentiation cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum. When whole organisms were assayed, trehalase activity was found to be high in the early stages of differentiation, decreased to its lowest point at 14 h, and then increased at the end of the cycle. By microdissection of freeze-dried individuals, the activity of trehalase could be followed during the migration of pre-stalk and pre-spore cells. No activity was observed at any stage of spore cell development, whereas stalk cells showed a rapid increase in activity upon maturation. An increasing gradient of activity was found from the apex of the stalk toward the base. This localization of trehalase in stalk cells resolves some contradictory results in the literature concerning the role of the enzyme during differentiation.