Evidence for aggregation center induction by the ionophore A23187 in the cellular slime mold Polysphondylium violaceum

A thin glass fiber coated with the ionophore A23187 placed among preaggregation amoebae of Polysphondylium violaceum will induce numerous aggregation centers along the fiber. Both calcium and magnesium ions appear to be involved in this induction. A23187 is aiso seen to disrupt the normal cell streaming process by producing secondary centers in the aggregation streams.