Generation of cell polarity in Dictyostelium development

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Polarity in Dictyostelium discoideum is controlled by external signals. Upon a chemotactic signal cells polarize. In this polarisation process components of the cytoskeleton and signalling molecules are involved. Cell polarisation in Dictyostelium is observed in growing cells during chemotactic movements towards the food source, it also takes place during phagocytic uptake of yeast particles and macropinocytic events. The polarised state of the cells is however most prominent during development and morphogenesis. Development starts with the formation of highly elongated cells during aggregation when cells use chemotaxis towards cAMP to form a multicellular organism. Chemotactic motility continues to be the determining factor during all subsequent morphogenetic events which finally lead to the formation of a fruiting body. Goal of this proposal is to study the requirements for cell polarisation with emphasis on the characterisation of the cytoskeletal components of cells during various stages of development that provide the basis for cell polarisation. In addition to focussing on single components which will be done in Dictyostelium mutants deficient in polarisation we will make use of the possibilities offered by the Dictyostelium genome project.