Nurturing Life Sciences
#Id: 10089
#Id: 3801
#Unit 5. Developmental Biology
Cell Aggregation & Differentiation is common to all Dictyostelids.
It consists of an interconnected programme of cell movement and cell differentiation.
#Id: 3802
During growth, unicellular D. discoideum monitor their cell density relative to that of their bacterial food source by secreting a glycoprotein called prestarvation factor at a constant rate.
#Id: 3803
When the ratio of PSF relative to that of bacteria exceeds a certain threshold, cells stop proliferating and initiate the expression of genes that are required for their aggregation.
#Id: 3804
Early on during aggregation, gene expression requires the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
#Id: 3805
High PSF to food ratio is upregulate the translation of the PKA catalytic subunit PKA-C.
#Id: 3806
A second glycoprotein secreted during starvation is CMF (conditioned medium factor)