MULTIPLE FORMS OF beta -GALACTOSIDASE AND THE CHANGES IN ITS PATTERN DURING DEVELOPMENT OF DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM

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Abstract
Four forms of .beta.-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) were separated from cell extracts of D. discoideum by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Changes in the pattern of multiple forms of this enzyme during differentiation and dedifferentiation were studied. The band closest to the anode (band 1) existed throughout development, but the other 3 bands appeared and disappeared at certain stages. One band was specific for the vegetative stage (band 3), and another for the morphogenetic stages (band 2). One band appeared during dedifferentiation of disaggregated slug cells (band 4), although it was slightly detected during culmination. During the process of dedifferentiation, the increase in activity of band 4 coincided with the decrease in band 2. After the completion of dedifferentiation, band 4 disappeared, only band 1 remaining. These multiple forms were electrophoretically separable and different in their sensitivities to various inhibitors. All forms of the enzyme were localized in subcellular particles, probably in lysosomes and phagosomes and the relative activities in these 2 fractions varied during development.