Carbohydrate content during development of the slime mold, <i>Dictyostelium discoideum</i>

Abstract

Abstract Water soluble carbohydrates were studied at various developmental stages in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum . The only water soluble sugars found were, the non‐reducing disaccharide, trehalose and glucose. The level of trehalose varied very dramatically during the life cycle. Throughout the vegetative and migration stages the level of trehalose was less than 0.5% of the dry weight, but it quickly rose during culmination. During the later part of culmination trehalose reached a 1.5% level. In mature spores trehalose makes up more than 5% of the dry weight. The glucose level fluctuated very little during development. It reaches its highest level during the later part of culmination. In addition water insoluble sugars were extracted with 2.2% HCl. Their level remained constant throughout development and only increased in the complete fruiting body. The anthrone method was used for both water soluble and water insoluble carbohydrates. Trehalose was identified by IR spectroscopy.