Time-resolved detection of three intracellular signals controlling photomorphogenesis in Physarum polycephalum.

Incompetent plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum exposed to a light pulse sporulated after reaching the competent stage. Fusion of irradiated plasmodia with dark-incubated plasmodia and analysis of sporulation indicated the presence of a morphogenetic signal. It is concluded that a logic AND gate integrates the photoreceptor signal and the competence signal and controls the formation of the morphogenetic signal.