SURFACE ANTIGEN DYNAMICS IN THE SLIME MOLD, DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM

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Abstract
Methods are described whereby antigenic material of the slime mold,, effective in antibody production is prepared. Such antisera produced in response to migrating pseudoplasmodia, mature spores and mature spore surface antigens effected maximal agglutination of amoebae. Such antisera effected only minimal agglutination of spores. Absorption of the various types of antisera with amoebae and spores revealed the presence of a surface antigen(s) on the spores which could not be detected on amoebae from early aggregates or migrating pseudoplasmodia. It has been observed that spore cells have poor adhesion to each other as compared to the adhesion between the amoebae composing a migrating pseudoplasmodia. It has been suggested, therefore, that a relationship exists between the adhesive properties of the amoebae and the spores and their agglutinating properties in the presence of antisera.