Early Recognition of Prespore Differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum and its Significance for Models on Pattern Formation |
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Authors: | PAULINE SCHAAP LOEK VAN DER MOLEN THEO M. KONIJN |
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Affiliation: | Cell Biology and Morphogenesis Unit, Zoological Laboratory, University of Leiden, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | An electron microscopic study revealed that during aggregation the cytoplasm of a number of cells increases in electron density. Increased electron density is shown to be the consequence of cell shrinkage, which causes a closer packing of cytoplasmic components. Originally electron-dense cells are spread randomly over the aggregate. The anterior prestalk region of the slug is almost devoid of electron-dense cells. In the posterior prespore region, cells with varying degrees of electron density are intermixed with 15–20% electron-lucent cells. During culmination all cells of the prespore region become very electron dense. Besides introducing a new criterion to recognize prespore cells at an early stage of development, our data give further evidence that induction of prespore cell differentiation is not necessarily position dependent. |
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