Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Vaibhav Wasnik
Summary: This work presents two results. Firstly, the error in concentration measurement by cells is found to be the same as previously evaluated, even when considering a more realistic case. Secondly, a lower bound on the measurement time is derived, which is independent of diffusion rate and concentration of the chemoattracts, and is determined by the detachment rate of ligands from cell receptors. This finding can help explain experimental observations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Richa Karmakar, Timothy Tyree, Richard H. Gomer, Wouter-Jan Rappel
Summary: Chemotaxis plays a crucial role in biological processes where cells are guided by chemical gradients. In Dictyostelium discoideum, cell aggregates are formed through periodic pulses of cAMP and secretion of PDE, allowing for cell motion and dispersion. The competition between cAMP and PDE results in the formation of a gradient directed away from the aggregate, leading to outward cell motion.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Richa Karmakar, Man-Ho Tang, Haicen Yue, Daniel Lombardo, Aravind Karanam, Brian A. Camley, Alex Groisman, Wouter-Jan Rappel
Summary: Cells of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum exhibit cellular memory, enabling them to respond to chemoattractant waves while ignoring downward gradients. Increasing background levels of chemoattractant can significantly enhance chemotactic efficiency, peaking at intermediate values and decreasing to near zero at high values. These results suggest that raising levels of chemoattractant background may facilitate self-organized aggregation in Dictyostelium colonies.
Article
Cell Biology
Romain Bodinier, Ayman Sabra, Jade Leiba, Anna Marchetti, Otmane Lamrabet, Imen Ayadi, Vedrana Filic, Takefumi Kawata, Igor Weber, Pierre Cosson
Summary: The genetic inactivation of lrrkA leads to enhanced phagocytosis and cell motility in D. discoideum cells, while also causing an abnormal response to folate. Folate increases motility in parental cells but not in lrrkA KO cells, indicating the pivotal role of LrrkA in cellular response to folate. The study identifies gene products involved in the control of intracellular killing, cell motility, and gene transcription, shedding light on how D. discoideum can efficiently migrate, engulf, and kill bacteria when encountering bacterially-secreted folate.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Hellen C. Ishikawa-Ankerhold, Sophie Kurzbach, Arzu S. Kinali, Annette Mueller-Taubenberger
Summary: Research has shown that depletion of energy, hyperosmotic shock, or cytoplasmic acidification can induce the formation of cytoplasmic actin-cofilin rods. These rods, consisting of actin and cofilin aggregates, are formed as a result of cellular stress and play a role in ensuring cell survival under unfavorable conditions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Katharina E. Rosenbusch, Asmaa Oun, Oana Sanislav, Sui T. Lay, Ineke Keizer-Gunnink, Sarah J. Annesley, Paul R. Fisher, Amalia M. Dolga, Arjan Kortholt
Summary: Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease globally, with mutations in the LRRK2 gene being a frequent cause. Increased kinase activity of LRRK2, even without mutations, may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PD. Studies using models and cell measurements have shown that LRRK2 could impact mitochondrial activity, but the exact mechanism remains unclear.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sui Lay, Xavier Pearce, Oana Sanislav, Paul Robert Fisher, Sarah Jane Annesley
Summary: Mitochondrial Complex II is composed of four core subunits and mutations in any of these subunits can result in lowered Complex II activity. However, mutations in different subunits are associated with distinct patterns of clinical disease. In this study, knockdown of individual Complex II subunits in Dictyostelium discoideum revealed specific phenotypic defects and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with SdhA knockdown. These defects were mediated by the chronic activation of AMP-activated protein kinase.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daisuke Ohtsuka, Nobutoshi Ota, Satoshi Amaya, Satomi Matsuoka, Yo Tanaka, Masahiro Ueda
Summary: The study found that chemotaxis was strongest at a cAMP concentration of 100 nM, with about 16% of cells still exhibiting chemotaxis at a concentration of 10 pM. Additionally, chemotaxis was suppressed at a concentration of 100 pM cAMP due to the self-production and secretion of intracellular cAMP induced by extracellular cAMP.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Estelle Ifrid, Hajer Ouertatani-Sakouhi, Tania Jauslin, Sebastien Kicka, Gianpaolo Chiriano, Christopher F. Harrison, Hubert Hilbi, Leonardo Scapozza, Thierry Soldati, Pierre Cosson
Summary: This study identified three non-antibiotic compounds that can decrease the virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and combat infections. By using Dictyostelium discoideum as a model phagocyte, the researchers found that one of the compounds, 5-ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine, rendered the bacterial membrane more accessible to antibacterial effectors.
Article
Cell Biology
Felicia N. Williams, Yumei Wu, K. Matthew Scaglione
Summary: Dictyostelium discoideum is a powerful model organism for investigating human health and disease, with high throughput genetic screens. However, limitations such as time-consuming screening processes have restricted genomic coverage. By coupling chemical mutagenesis with the 5-fluoroorotic acid counterselection system, mutations in genes of interest can be enriched efficiently, offering potential for broader applications across different biological systems.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Michael Muljadi, Yi-Chen Fu, Chao-Min Cheng
Summary: Cellular chemotaxis has been extensively studied due to its relevance in various physiological and pathological processes. Classic diffusion chambers have limitations in quantification, reproducibility, and measurement accuracy. Microfluidic technology has provided advanced tools to observe and analyze cell chemotaxis, especially using D. discoideum as a model organism. The flexibility and ability to generate consistent concentration gradients make microfluidic devices promising for understanding cell migratory behavior and related biological processes.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Johann E. Kufs, Christin Reimer, Emily Steyer, Vito Valiante, Falk Hillmann, Lars Regestein
Summary: We developed a robust and reliable scale-up strategy for amoeba-based bioprocesses and evaluated its applicability for the production of the cannabinoid precursor olivetolic acid. By determining the maximum tolerable hydromechanical stress level for D. discoideum, we were able to scale-up the process from shake flasks to the 300-L stirred tank reactor without any yield reduction from cell shearing.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Cyril Guilhen, Wanessa C. Lima, Estelle Ifrid, Xenia Crespo-Yanez, Otmane Lamrabet, Pierre Cosson
Summary: Phagocytic cells efficiently consume and destroy bacteria to defend against infections. In D. discoideum, a bacteriolytic activity targeting Klebsiella pneumoniae was discovered, with BadA protein identified as essential for bactericidal activity in cells. This study provides a new strategy for identifying and characterizing bactericidal proteins in D. discoideum.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William D. Kim, Shyong Q. Yap, Robert J. Huber
Summary: This study identified over 500 putative CaM interactors in the model organism Dictyostelium, revealing new insights into the diverse cellular and developmental roles of CaM and CaMBPs. Gene ontology analysis linked the CaM interactors to various cellular processes, and the primary localizations of these interactors were identified. This study provides the first in vivo catalogue of putative CaM interactors in Dictyostelium and sheds additional light on the essential roles of CaM and CaMBPs in eukaryotes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Sarah Koerber, Jan Faix
Summary: Ena/VASP proteins play a crucial role in macroendocytosis, and their deficiency results in defects in macropinocytosis and phagocytosis. Furthermore, VASP initiates actin assembly to propel phagosomes deeper into the cell after cup closure, resembling intracellular movement of rocketing Listeria cells.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)