scholarly journals Dictyostelium: An Important Source of Structural and Functional Diversity in Drug Discovery

Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzuru Kubohara ◽  
Haruhisa Kikuchi
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Stalk Cell ◽  
Cellular Slime Mold ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Slime Molds ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Cellular Slime Molds

The cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum is an excellent model organism for the study of cell and developmental biology because of its simple life cycle and ease of use. Recent findings suggest that Dictyostelium and possibly other genera of cellular slime molds, are potential sources of novel lead compounds for pharmacological and medical research. In this review, we present supporting evidence that cellular slime molds are an untapped source of lead compounds by examining the discovery and functions of polyketide differentiation-inducing factor-1, a compound that was originally isolated as an inducer of stalk-cell differentiation in D. discoideum and, together with its derivatives, is now a promising lead compound for drug discovery in several areas. We also review other novel compounds, including secondary metabolites, that have been isolated from cellular slime molds.

Genetic Diversity in Cellular Slime Molds: Allozyme Electrophoresis and a Monoclonal Antibody Reveal Cryptic Species Among Dictyostelium discoideum Strains

Genetics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-220
Author(s):  
David A Briscoe ◽  
Andrew A Gooley ◽  
R L Bernstein ◽  
George M McKay ◽  
Keith L Williams
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Cellular Slime Mold ◽  
Allozyme Electrophoresis ◽  
Slime Molds ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Cellular Slime Molds

ABSTRACT Cellular slime molds have been classified on the basis of a small number of descriptive criteria such as fruiting body color and morphology, and, in heterothallic species, by assignment to compatible mating groups. However, some isolates which are morphologically classified as conspecific do not fall into a simple mating-type classification; for example some are asexual or homothallic. An increasing interest in inter-strain genetic variation in studies of development and simple behavior has led us to reassess genetic relationships among a number of frequently used isolates. Allozyme electrophoresis of 16 soluble enzymes and use of a monoclonal antibody show that there is relatively little genetic diversity among sexually competent Dictyostelium discoideum isolates, despite considerable variation in geographic origin and time since isolation in the laboratory. In contrast a pair of asexual strains and each of two homothallic strains are genetically quite distinct and differ sufficiently from each other, and from sexually competent isolates, to warrant their recognition as separate species. There are probably four biological species represented in the supposedly D. discoideum isolates studied. This heterogeneity extends to other cellular slime mold species. Each of three isolates of Dictyostelium purpureum is genetically distinct from the others. Limited analysis of other cellular slime molds indicates that the generic distinction of Dictyostelium and Polysphondylium must be questioned. This study emphasizes that caution should be applied in classifying simple organisms on morphological criteria.

A simple method for storing cellular slime mold amoebae

1975 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 959-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Laine ◽  
Nancy Roxby ◽  
M. B. Coukell
Keyword(s):  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Slime Mold ◽  
Cellular Slime Mold ◽  
Slime Molds ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Cellular Slime Molds

A simple procedure has been developed for freezing of vegetative amoebae of various cellular slime mold species. This procedure can be used to store stocks of both developmentally competent and developmentally defective strains of cellular slime molds for periods up to at least 1 year.

Two species of dictyostelid cellular slime molds from Alaska

Mycologia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Romeralo ◽  
John C. Landolt ◽  
James C. Cavender ◽  
Gary A. Laursen ◽  
Sandie L. Baldauf
Keyword(s):  
Slime Molds ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Cellular Slime Molds

The life and times of the cellular slime molds

Cell ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 703-704
Author(s):  
Stephen Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Slime Molds ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Cellular Slime Molds

Multiple Lectins in Two Species of Cellular Slime Molds

1976 ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
William A. Frazier ◽  
Steven D. Rosen ◽  
Richard W. Reitherman ◽  
Samuel H. Barondes
Keyword(s):  
Slime Molds ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Cellular Slime Molds

Chemotactic Transduction in the Cellular Slime Molds

1984 ◽  
pp. 1-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Frazier ◽  
Beth L. Meyers-Hutchins ◽  
Gordon A. Jamieson ◽  
Nancy J. Galvin
Keyword(s):  
Slime Molds ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Cellular Slime Molds
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