title: Superoxide dismutase induces differentiation in microplasmodia of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum.
abstract: Evidence is presented that supports a role for the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the differentiation of the slime mold, Physarum polycephalum. SOD activity increases 46-fold during differentiation. A strain of Physarum that does not differentiate exhibits no change in SOD activity. Addition of SOD, via liposomes, to the nondifferentiating strain induces differentiation; this effect is enhanced by an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. Other antioxidants selected for study failed to induce differentiation. Conversely, oxidative treatments including introduction of D-amino acid oxidase, via liposomes, induced differentiation. Cellular oxidation is the probable cause of the SOD effect.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Balin
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sohal
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nations
mesh_terms: D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D010804:Physarum / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase