In:
Journal of Bacteriology, American Society for Microbiology, Vol. 182, No. 24 ( 2000-12-15), p. 6900-6905
Abstract:
Fruiting body formation (sporulation) is a distinctive, irreversible differentiation process in the life cycle of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum . The most important requirement for sporulation of Physarum is a period of starvation, and normally sporulation proceeds in the light. It is shown here that by omitting the liquid sporulation medium and elevating the temperature from 21 to 25°C, sporulation can occur routinely in the dark. It is further shown that this autocrine signaling in the dark requires calcium ions and malate. A putative sporulation control factor was detected in conditioned media derived from plasmodia starved in the dark, which was then identified as polymalate. As an additional role for this previously detected polyanion, specific for the plasmodial state of Physarum , it is suggested that the secreted compound serves as a source for both malate and calcium ions and thus promotes sporulation without light signaling.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0021-9193
,
1098-5530
DOI:
10.1128/JB.182.24.6900-6905.2000
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society for Microbiology
Publication Date:
2000
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1481988-0
SSG:
12
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