Inter-relation of cell adhesion and differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum.

During the development of Dictyostelium discoideum single cells aggregate to form a multicellular organism. The change from the single cell state to multicellularity is mediated by chemotactic cell movement and intercellular adhesion. Dictyostelium represents a side branch in the evolution of multicellular organization in eukaryotes. Therefore, the general importance of any work done in Dictyostelium will be measured by its applicability to other biological systems. Similarities be­ tween the adhesion system of D. discoideum and those acting during embryonic development of vertebrates demonstrate that research in a ‘simple’ microorganism like Dictyostelium can provide a basis for studies in more complex organisms. In this survey, the adhesion system of aggregating cells and its regulation during development is taken as a platform from which to outline problems to be solved in the future.