Cyclic-AMP-controlled oscillations in suspended Dictyostelium cells: their relation to morphogenetic cell interactions.

Periodic spikes of decreased optical density were recorded in cell suspensions of Dictyostelium discoideum. Spike formation as well as changes in the redox state of cytochrome b are facultatively and independently coupled to an oscillating system which is under developmental control and presumably underlies signal transmission in aggregating cells. Cyclic AMP triggers a double response, the slow component resembling the spikes formed during spontaneous oscillations. The fast component shows characteristics of the chemotactic response to cyclic AMP. The receptor system is suggested to sense changes of cyclic AMP concentration in time. Cyclic AMP pulses interact with the oscillating system, resulting in phase shift or suppression of spike formation, and in the induction of oscillations in an early stage of development before the onset of spontaneous oscillations. Continuous flow application of cyclic AMP does not change frequency up to flow rates which extinguish oscillations.