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Journal of Cell Science, Vol 96, 661-667, Copyright © 1990 by Company of Biologists

Submitted on September 30, 1989
Accepted on May 14, 1990

Pharmacological evidence for a role for cyclic AMP signalling in Dictyostelium discoideum slug behaviour

P. K. DARCY 1 and P. R. FISHER 1

1 Microbiology Department, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3083, Melbourne, Australia

Phototaxis and thermotaxis by Dictyostelium discoideum slugs on water agar were impaired by the presence in the agar of adenosine, which is a cyclic AMP receptor antagonist in aggregating amoebae. Caffeine, and presumably its analogue theophylline, inhibit cyclic AMP signalling in aggregating amoebae of D. discoideum. Both compounds perturbed slug behaviour in a similar manner to adenosine, as did both ammonium and sulphate ions. (NH4)3SO4 is known to perturb cyclic AMP binding to its receptor, and ammonia is an inhibitor of cyclic AMP signalling in aggregating amoebae. The receptor agonist, cyclic AMPS, disrupted slug organization and impaired phototaxis when present at concentrations high enough to saturate cyclic AMP receptors and compete effectively with endogenous cyclic AMP signals of similar magnitude to those observed during aggregation. Taken together with the considerable circumstantial evidence for cyclic AMP signalling in slugs, these results support a role for cyclic AMP signalling in slug behaviour.

Key words: cyclic AMP signalling, Dictyostelium, slug behaviour, adenosine, caffeine, theophylline

Submitted on September 30, 1989
Accepted on May 14, 1990




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 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
K. Miura and F. Siegert
Light affects cAMP signaling and cell movement activity in Dictyostelium discoideum
PNAS, February 29, 2000; 97(5): 2111 - 2116.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1990