Monoclonal antibodies specific for stalk differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum

Jeannie S. Wallace, James H. Morrissey, Peter C. Newell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We have produced two monoclonal antibodies specific to the stalk cells of Dictyostelium discoideum fruiting bodies. Both monoclonal antibodies react with high molecular weight proteins previously found to be stalk-specific by two-dimensional gel analysis. One antibody (JAb 1) is specific for a single protein of apparent molecular weight 310 000 which first appears when overt stalk differentiation begins at 20 h. The other monoclonal antibody (JAb 2) is also stalk-specific, though earlier in development it binds to proteins extracted from both prestalk and prespore cells of the migrating slug. It reacts with two proteins in stalks, one of apparent molecular weight 430 000 which is first detected during tip formation at 12 h and a lower molecular weight protein (310 000) detected from 20 h. Although several markers are available for the investigation of prespore/spore differentiation there is a distinct lack of suitable prestalk/stalk markers. The monoclonal antibodies described here are highly specific stalk markers and should prove useful in the study of cell proportioning and terminal differentiation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)205-211
Number of pages7
JournalCell Differentiation
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1984
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dictyostelium
  • monoclonal antibodies
  • stalk differentiation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Biology

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