title: Changes in cytoplasmic pH are involved in the cell type regulation of Dictyostelium.
abstract: The cytoplasmic pH (pHi) of populations of developing Dictyostelium discoideum cells was determined by means of two independent pH null-point methods. Both methods reveal in populations containing 75-80% prespore cells a pHi value of about 0.2 pH units higher than in populations containing 50% prespore cells. During the process of cell type regulation, decreases and increases in the percentage of prespore cells of about 15-20% are accompanied by decreases and increases in pHi of about 0.2 pH units. Abolition of these changes in pHi by means of a weak base or acid also prevents the regulation process. It is concluded that changes in pHi are involved in the prespore cell type regulation in D. discoideum.
mesh_terms: D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000502:physiology; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013194:Staining and Labeling