ATP, trehalose, glucose, and ammonium ion levels in the two cell types of Dictyostelium discoideum

Ultra-microfluorometric techniques were adapted to follow several compounds related to energy metabolism through the developmental cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum. Each compound (ATP, trehalose, glucose, and ammonium ion) was found to be present in stalk and/or spore cells. The accumulation of NH₄⁺ was interpreted as an indication of protein degradation, a source of energy in this organism. During the early stages of differentiation NH₄⁺ was localized only in stalk cells. However, it accumulated in spore cells during culmination such that levels were comparable in the two cell types by the end of development. Trehalose, an energy source for germinating spores, was found in both cell types but was preferentially degraded in stalk cells late in development. Glucose, the degradation product of trehalose, was localized in stalk cells and varied inversely with trehalose in prestalk cells. ATP was not localized in a specific cell type during development. However, ATP declined in stalk cells at an earlier stage of development. These findings emphasize the need for knowledge of cell-specific events involved in the differentiation of this and other organisms.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Microbiology

Department dc:contributor.department

Microbiology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1976

Author dc:creator

• Wilson, Jeanne Burrowbridge

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-06122010-020202

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43233