| Actin tyrosine phosphorylation plays a critical role in maintaining spore dormancy and spore viability. In the slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, several strains were explored for spore morphology, actin tyrosine phosphorylation levels, and the presence of cellulose in the spore coat layers of the cell walls in both dormant and germinating spores.; On average the actin tyrosine phosphorylation levels were maximized on the fourth to sixth day and there after slowly decreased as the spores reached the age of 14 days.; Actin tyrosine phosphorylation patterns for NC4, SG1, SG2, Ax3, and RegA − show an overall decrease for the 15°C grown cultures in comparison to the RT grown cultures.; Cellulose studies revealed that cellulose: was present in the middle layer of the spore coat cell wall; was present in dormant, swelling, and emerging spores, but absent in nascent amoebae; demonstrated that there is a certain location within the spore coat cell wall that is a common tearing or splitting point during the natural process (germination), but not for the mechanical process (glass beads); and was present throughout the spore. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
